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Thierry Henry has had quite an unstable career as a coach, but Wanyama, who worked under him for Canadian outfit CF Montreal has explained why the legendary fomer forward is a 'world-class' coach.
Former Harambee Stars and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama has praised Thierry Henry, describing him as a "world-class coach" following their collaboration during the COVID-hit 2020 season at Major League Soccer (MLS) side CF Montréal.
Henry, who managed the Canadian outfit at the time, played a pivotal role in convincing Wanyama to join the club, a decision the Kenyan international reflects on with gratitude.
Henry, a former Arsenal and Barcelona star, transitioned into coaching after retiring from professional football. He began with Arsenal’s youth teams in 2015, later serving as an assistant coach for Belgium, where he contributed to their 2018 FIFA World Cup third-place finish.
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Henry’s first head coaching role came at Monaco in 2018, but a challenging stint saw him dismissed in early 2019. Undeterred, he returned to the MLS less than a year later to lead Montréal Impact (now CF Montréal). Under his guidance, the team reached the playoffs in the 2020 season.
After departing Montréal in 2021, Henry rejoined Belgium’s coaching setup before taking charge of France’s U21 and U23 teams. Most recently, he guided France's U23 side to a silver medal at the Paris Olympics before stepping down unexpectedly.
Speaking to Football Fans Tribe, Wanyama lauded Henry’s meticulous coaching style.
“He is a really good coach and you know that he always improves players by focusing on small details that can change your game, so to me, he is a world-class coach,” Wanyama shared.
The Kenyan midfielder further revealed how Henry's vision influenced his decision to join Montréal, despite having offers from European clubs.
“Thierry Henry convinced me to come to Montréal even though I had played so much in Europe. I knew he was a coach of his calibre, and I said, ‘Why not?’” Wanyama told The Sick Podcast.
Wanyama was drawn to Henry's dream of transforming Montréal into a playoff contender and regular participants in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. “He had a dream of making the team better, and I bought into his idea,” Wanyama stated.
After four years at the club, Wanyama’s contract expired in November, marking the end of his Canadian chapter.
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06:35 - 12.12.2024
Why Ex-Tottenham star Victor Wanyama will not rule out possible Kenyan Premier League return
Wanyama featured in the Kenyan Premier League for the likes of AFC Leopards and Nairobi City Stars
Wanyama also reflected on his most memorable midfield partnerships. During the 2016/2017 Premier League season at Tottenham, he formed a formidable duo with Moussa Dembele. Similarly, at Celtic, his collaboration with Scott Brown stood out.
“Scott Brown. We complimented each other very well when I was at Celtic, and he is also a lion, so it was good to play next to him,” Wanyama remarked.
As Wanyama transitions to the next chapter of his career, his time under Thierry Henry and his experiences at Montréal will undoubtedly remain defining moments in his journey.
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