Thierry Henry has announced his departure from the New York Red Bulls and says he’ll now take a couple of weeks deciding what he wants to do next.
The former French international moved to the MLS outfit from Barcelona four and a half years ago and has enjoyed his time in the US making 122 appearances for the Red Bulls, becoming in the process their ‘all-time leader’ in assists with 42 and their second all-time scorer with 51 goals. For his efforts he was named an MLS All-Star four times (2011-2014) and captained his team in 2013 as they won the Supporter’s Shield.
The legendary Gunner has repeatedly hinted in recent months that he’d like to return to the Emirates in some capacity, but it’s far from clear whether London will be his first port of call with new playing, coaching and commercial opportunities known to be on offer from across the globe.
In a statement on his Facebook page, Henry drew a line under his time in the MLS thanking the Red Bull hierarchy and fans.
“I am taking this opportunity to announce that unfortunately Saturday was my last game for the New York Red Bulls. The decision has always been that I would leave after the duration of my contract and although that was never going to change, I didn’t want it to distract from the progress of the team.
“I have immensely enjoyed my four and half years here and would like to thank everyone involved with this club who has made my time here so enjoyable.
“Thanks must go particularly to Erik Soler, Hans Backe, Gerard Houllier, Andy Roxburgh, Mike Petke, all my team mates, the technical staff, medical staff, all the personnel who work for the Red Bull organisation, the MLS and of course the owner Mr Mateschitz whose vision and passion brought me to this wonderful city.
“A special mention must go to the Red Bull fans who have supported this team through the good, the bad and the ugly times in the sun, rain and snow. You guys have really meant a lot to me and thank you for all your wonderful support.I will now take the next few weeks to reflect and decide on the next chapter of my career. Thank you all.”
Returning the favour, Red Bulls’ Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh said:
“Thierry Henry, an icon of the world’s game, has been a wonderful player for the New York Red Bulls and a major influence on the development of MLS.
“It has been a privilege to have watched Thierry’s illustrious career unfold since he was 17 years old, and it has been a particular joy to watch him, at close quarters, lead the New York Red Bulls over the last two seasons. We sincerely wish him all the best for his future.”
Arseblog News waits with baited breath to see what Thierry does next…
Come home
He can reunite with his old Barca teammate, Alexis!!!
Time to change all the career numbers on his statue again, haha.
T.T phone home- the latest Spielberg blockbuster.
Would love to see Titi come home! Surely they can offer him a contract as a coach/general motivator/3rd choice striker 🙂
An incredible player!!!
I think it would be fitting for him to return as a player until the end of the season, and end his playing career at arsenal, maybe that’s wishful though!
Poldi and Campbell would love that. A 37-year-old Henry keeping them out of the team.
I don’t think wenger sees a place in the team for them with or without henry, that’s my assumption based on current trends at least though
Just a little stat
Henry has scored more goals for Arsenal than, Podolski, Giroud, Adebayor, Arshavin, and Fabregas all put together.
I miss TITI
What a Legend, he used to glide along the pitch with the ball, and caressed the ball like no other player i have seen, i hope someday he can manage Arsenal, and his dream comes true of winning the CL with us.
Also, Thierry Henry on the training field every day. If that wouldn’t make up for the lack of playing time, I don’t know what will.
Maybe as a striking coach-cum-free-transfer striker? Plus, more selfies to go around!
Campbell still has time to impress, even if it isn’t this season. And I’m sure he’ll see some FA Cup action, maybe even an appearance against Gala. Poldolski on the other hand…
For sure, Campbell is still young and can fight for his place, but i think Podolski might leave in January, he needs to be playing now at his age, and doesn’t enjoy sitting on the bench, you can see he is frustrated. I don’t think he deserves to get starting tho, as he has mainly only made an impact as a sub. Although i would like to see him stay, he will def leave i think..
I’d imagine mr welbeck would relish the opportunity to work in close quarters with the king.
I think back to a couple of those finishes against galatasaray that danny managed, very titi!
More please
I don’t even know if I’d be upset if our only January signing was Henry on a free. I can almost see it happening.
I would! If I see Monreal play at CB one more time I’ll probably turn the TV off
Not that I don’t love the man, but I may be fairly upset in that situation.
Still love his goal from that last time we signed him January though: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bNBN9XlTK0
SIGN HIM UP!!!!
Bring our king home!!! 🙂
Gotta love his new Facebook cover photo *wink-wink* 😉
Don’t forget he leaves as third in their all time list of corner takers…
Games Played: 122 – Ninth
Games Started: 118 – Seventh
Goals: 51 – Second
Assists: 42 – First
Game-winning goals: 14 – First
Game-winning assists: 11 – First
Shots: 361 – First
Shots on goal: 137 – Second
Corner kicks: 257 – Third
Multi-goal games: 7 – Third
Goals per game: 0.42 – Fifth
Assists per game: 0.34 – Second
That number would be down by about 80% if he didn’t always hit the first man like Arsene taught him…
But presumably 1st on “goals scored directly from corners “
Time for coaching badges Titi!
Well pirlo’s doing I see it being a possibility..
Guys. Henry isn’t going to play for anyone. He will most probably go into coaching and management. I see him taking over from Wenger in 5 years.
If he didn’t want to carry on playing I assume he’d have announced his retirement at the same time.
My guess is he’s open to offers with Arsene’s at the top of his Christmas list. One can only hope.
Can he play centre half?
Yes.
Would love to see the King back as a coach at Arsenal someday, please Arsenal do not let him do a ‘Vieira’ it will kill me to see him coaching at another club. He’ll be an inspiration in any part of the Arsenal set-up and then in a few years we bring in Bergkamp as a coach too and it will be beautiful.
The perfect plan don’t mess it up!!
Bergkamp with his experience from Ajax as the manager with Henry as the deputy at home and taking charge at away games. Santa, take note.
our king most announced his retirement at home
Check out his Facebook page… it’s showing a panoramic picture of the Emirates now.
https://www.facebook.com/ThierryHenry?fref=ts
The Sherlock in me has made the ‘deduction’ that:
1) He has already accepted a job offer from somewhere.
2) His next destination can be viewed on the (just updated) picture of his Facebook page.
No sh*t Sherlock?! Sorry, just had to. 🙂
That goal on his page, for Red Bulls, cutting in from the left, curling one into the top corner, ohh how i miss those goals at Arsenal. Magnificent!
The Prodigal son is still on the slow train
He hasn’t decided his final destination
We should all give him love
Come home and teach Welbeck how to upgrade a couple of levels
Can he play at centre back?
Never seen him play is it?
God, I love this man.
There’s no way he’ll go anywhere else. He is an exception. The problem is, if he ends up managing us, and if he isn’t amazing, even if he’s merely good, that could taint his legacy. It’s not as if he’ll be Arsenal manager for the next 30 years…
Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing more I like to see than Henry coming back to Arsenal, succeeding Wenger after we have won the champions league with Henry as his right-hand man, and Henry becoming the new hybrid Ferguson-Wenger.
Those who are eager to show love to Klop, here is somebody who really really deserves it.
Arsenal Player/coach maybe ? 🙂
I would like that 😀
Surely the obvious thing to do, would be to bring him in as a striker coach? Welbeck has all the attributes to be a top goalscorer…he just seems to lack that movement off the ball that Thierry was so great at…no doubt Henry could pass on that knowledge, and we’d have a serious talent on our hands
He’d be great as a scout, starting out while he gets his badges.
Would be hard for promising youngsters, etc. to turn down Arsenal when a legend like Henry is making the approach.
Bated breath.
Groom him for management. Wenger is more than likely to know his time at the club is limited considering age. He will want to secure his legacy and keep his project going. He has the option of either grooming from within (Say Henry or Bergkamp) or sourcing his replacement from market (Say a Klopp chastened by set back) This will give Henry 3-4 seasons to fully immerse and gain experience in management. TH is a very clever fellow. I expect with the proper guidance (mentor), he can be a great success in management. There would be no better Mentor than… Read more »
To recruit nowadays, you need assistance from a bank or an oil industry tycoon not a mentor. Henry is a leader by the example not a natural people leader. Himself thinks he did not get the ballon d’or because he wouldn’t please the media. Remember his teammates at Arsenal started saying him leaving was a good thing for their development. In the end these blokes regressed after he left. He can be a tactics genius, I believe. He can help Walcott and especially Welbeck and Sanogo be better finishers if Wenger finds him a role. Himself used Ian Wright as… Read more »
My inside sources inside Henry’s head say that he is thinking of India, reuniting the Invincibles!!
I don’t really care what his role is as long as he is evolved. Just want to see him in the dugout like Zidane is at Real, pure inspiration.
We want you back to where you name yourself in a footballing capacity..
ONCE A GUNNER…IS ALWAYS A GOONER..That’s what you said Icon!
Perhaps more glory is on the cards for this man with the crest on his chest (one way or another). Many open arms await… amen
He must surely be headed to THOF He has just changed his Twitter page pic to Emirates stadium.
Nah, he’s too late to cash in on the Indian Super League. It only runs from October to December. Our boys Pires, Pennant, Ljungberg are enjoying the kick about.