Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has been talking about the possibility of him becoming the manager of his former club at some point in the future.
Describing himself as ‘an Arsenal fan’, he hopes that one day ‘it can happen’, but that for now ‘the boss [Arsene Wenger] is still there’ and he is doing a good job.
Henry had been a member of the Arsenal coaching staff until earlier this year. He left due to disagreements with Wenger over his ability to balance his coaching with television commitments for Sky Sports.
The Frenchman has already passed his UEFA A license and is currently working on his Pro License whilst assisting Roberto Martinez as manager of the Belgian national team.
Belgium is top of their World Cup qualifying group after three wins from three.
Since becoming involved in coaching, Henry has been tipped to succeed Wenger as the Arsenal boss.
Speaking to the Metro, Henry said: “That’s a long way [off]. Right now, I’m in a learning process, trying to know the job. It’s not easy. It’s a difficult job, trust me.
“People keep on asking that. First and foremost the boss, and we have to respect that, is still there and is doing a good job. Hopefully, we can win the league. As you guys know I am an Arsenal fan. It will be great in the season of his [Wenger’s] 20 years at Arsenal.
“Hopefully one day, if it can happen, I can be a manager [but] I don’t know when and I don’t know where.”
Arsenal sits second in the Premier League table, level on points with Manchester City, and are also through to the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup.
Last season Wenger came in for criticism from fans after Arsenal saw their title challenge slip away in the second half of the campaign as Leicester stormed to glory.
Fans actively voiced their opinions with banners at the Emirates calling for the club to sack him.
But Henry, the club’s all-time record goalscorer, believes it would be a risk to replace the experienced Frenchman.
“Be careful what you wish for because when he’s not going to be around people are going to realize what he was doing at the time,” Henry told the London Evening Standard.
“It looks like finally, things are going the right way… It would be great if in his 20th season in charge he can win the title. But are they going to do it? The competition is massive.”