Thierry Henry has stepped down as head coach of MLS club CF Montreal.
The former Arsenal and Barcelona forward cited family reasons for his departure from the Canadian side.
Montreal relocated to the U.S. last season as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, meaning Henry was unable to see his family on a consistent basis as they remained in Canada.
In a statement released earlier today, Henry gave the reasons for his resignation.
“It is with a heavy heart that I’ve decided to take this decision. The last year has been an extremely difficult one for me personally.
“Due to the worldwide pandemic, I was unable to see my children. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing restrictions and the fact that we will have to relocate to the US again for several months will be no different. The separation is too much of a strain for me and my kids.
“Therefore, it is with much sadness that I must take the decision to return to London and leave CF Montreal.
“I would like to thank the fans, players and all the staff of this club that have made me feel so welcome.”
Henry at Montreal
Arsenal’s record goalscorer agreed to continue his managerial career in Montreal in November 2019 following an abysmal and short-lived spell with his former club Monaco in Ligue 1.
Montreal qualified for the MLS playoffs for the first time in four years under Henry’s stewardship. They also went on to reach the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Champions League.
CF Montreal’s sporting director Olivier Renard said: “Thierry’s departure is unfortunate and premature because this was very promising, but he informed me of his desire to be back with his family because the situation was and remains very difficult for both him and his family.
“I want to thank him, first on a human level because he led the players by example last year by being away from his family, but also from a sporting level and for what we have built together since his arrival.”
What comes next?
Henry has been heavily linked with the manager’s job at Bournemouth in recent weeks.
Jason Tindall was sacked by the Cherries at the start of the month with the club in sixth place in the Championship. Former Real Madrid and Tottenham defender Jonathan Woodgate has been the caretaker manager at the Vitality Stadium since Tindall’s departure.
