Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has suggested that he would be interested in the USMNT head coach vacancy as the Frenchman targets a return to management.
Henry's previous managerial job came in 2019 when he became head coach of MLS side CF Montreal, having previously taken over at his former club AS Monaco for 20 matches. The 45-year-old enjoyed a relatively successful spell at Montreal, guiding them to the Audi MLS Cup play-offs as well as the quarter-finals of the Concacaf Champions League.
However, after being unable to see his family during the coronavirus pandemic, Henry made the decision to step down from his role in 2021 so he could be closer to home. Since then, the former Gunners star has been Roberto Martinez's assistant with Belgium, but that too has now come to an end following the Spaniard's departure and subsequent switch to the Portugal national team.
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Meanwhile, the USMNT currently find themselves without a manager after Gregg Berhalter's contract expired after the Qatar World Cup. The U.S. Soccer Federation are believed to be keen on replacing outgoing sporting director Earnie Stewart before concluding the process of appointing a new head coach, but despite the setback, Henry has hinted that he is open to the idea of taking charge should the opportunity arise.
"Would I put my name in the hat? First and foremost, that's a tricky one to talk about," Henry said. "Do I know the (American) players? Yeah, I know the players. Do I know the league? Yeah, I know the league. It's a different ballgame to talk about it now like that, but would I want to be a manager at any level? Yes, of course, that's something I would want to do. But to go back to the U.S. national team and the U.S. in general, what's the plan? What's the philosophy? What do you want to be?"
The interest shown by Henry has divided opinion among American supporters, but it appears he could win them over if he manages to bring an exciting Arsenal talent with him. Folarin Balogun currently finds himself as the Ligue 1 top scorer with 15 goals, overtaking the likes of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. As he enjoys a standout season with Stade Reims, the Gunners loanee has reiterated that he is keeping an open mind when it comes to his international future, with a switch to the USMNT potentially on the cards.
At the moment, Balogun represents the England Under-21s but is yet to receive a call-up to the Three Lions' senior team, meaning the Stars and Stripes still have a chance of recruiting him just as they did with his former Arsenal teammate Yunus Musah. The New York City-born striker has previously played for the U.S. Under-18s and is also eligible for Nigeria through family roots.
Interestingly, one of Balogun's biggest supporters this season has been Henry, who recently expressed his delight over the striker's progress in France. An image of the pair in discussion prior to Reims' clash with Paris Saint-Germain earlier this season resurfaced on Twitter following Henry's quotes, leaving fans excited about a possible reunion in US colours. 'If that gets us Balogun then hire the man,' one supporter said, while another commented: 'Thierry can have the USMNT job if he brings Balogun'.
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