The former Arsenal and Barcelona striker announced his retirement on Monday and the French coach believes his old charge faces a tough task to live up to his on-field exploits
Arsene Wenger believes Thierry Henry could struggle to match his on-field achievements off the pitch, having retired earlier this week.
The former Arsenal striker won three Premier League titles in north London, the Champions League with Barcelona and the 1998 World Cup with France, but called time on his glittering career on Monday.
Wenger has previously admitted that Henry could return to the Gunners as a coach, but the 63-year-old readily concedes that the star will find it difficult to live up to his playing reputation in whatever role he chooses to undertake in the future.
“I congratulate him on what he did,” Wenger told RMC. “Life doesn’t stop now. Unfortunately for him, I think he will have to be extremely strong to have the same success in his new life that he had as a player”.
However, Wenger believes Henry has the “intelligence” to succeed should he decide to remain in football, having seen him develop from an underperforming winger into one of the best strikers in the world during his time at Arsenal.
“Henry a coach? He has to learn the job,” Wenger continued. “Why not? He has to choose.
“You have to learn your job and for this, you have to be the head of a team.”
When asked again if Henry could learn his trade at his former club Wenger replied: “I already have a big staff.”
