“My phone is there, it didn't ring.
Plus, it's on silent.
“The joke is signed Thierry Henry on Prime Video this Sunday.
Asked about his chances of becoming the next coach of the Red Devils, the former Arsenal player preferred to kick in touch, even if the small spade launched by Christophe Galtier - "Perhaps a great challenge to come for our national Titi" – seemed to make him smile.
The subject is much more serious than that.
Because yes, the second top scorer in the history of the France team and ex-assistant of Roberto Martinez could cross the border and take the lead of the Belgian selection.
He even acts as a great favorite.
The proof ?
The last interview with Romelu Lukaku, part of the Belgian locker room, granted to Sky Sports Italia: “He has the respect of all the players, he has won everything.
He knows the job of coach (…) I say it openly: he will be the next coach.
» Real information or simple advisory opinion?
For Christophe Franken, Red Devils specialist for the DH, it is necessary “to put Lukaku's words into perspective because he is the person he was closest to in the group.
They are two true friends.
»
The National Federation (RBFA) will still consult locker room executives such as Inter Milan striker Thibault Courtois and Kevin De Bruyne.
“We are really going to listen to the players much more than in 2016 and the appointment of Roberto Martinez.
We are at a turning point for this last dance of the golden generation.
We still want to build around Kevin De Bruyne,” the Belgian journalist reminds us.
The Philippe Clément track ruled out
However, everything is not yet won for Thierry Henry, in particular because of his lack of experience as a coach and a lack of popularity.
“There are few supporters at the fan level because there have always been experienced coaches at the head of the selection except Wilmots who had a big past as a player.
Henry's experience is too thin.
In addition, he never cured his popularity in Belgium by not giving any interview.
He only came for the regroupings, ”decrypts Christophe Franken.
So if it is "the name that comes up most often", Thierry Henry is not the 100% ideal profile and has other competitors.
The selection process for our new national manager has officially started today.
Read more on our website ↩️
🇫🇷 https://t.co/xjTxewk0O7
🇳🇱 https://t.co/BOSCg5YEs1
🇬🇧 https://t.co/SlnfNUCN8m pic.twitter.com/hZZQgdYBsr
— Royal Belgian FA (@RoyalBelgianFA) December 13, 2022
“The profile drawn was a foreign coach and ideally with experience, someone who knows top-level football.
Thierry Henry is a special case because he knows the group extremely well, but he is not the only one.
Hervé Renard sent his CV for example, ”explains the Red Devils specialist.
To decide, the RBFA is waiting for the end of the applications, until January 10.
These will be studied by a “task force” (a working group) made up of several Belgian football leaders including Bart Verhaeghe, the president of Bruges.
Several local tracks have already been ruled out such as those leading to Vincent Kompany, Championship leader with Burnley or to Philippe Clément, the coach of AS Monaco.
“Both showed that it was not the right timing.
They are too young, in too good a club career to stop.
It's a position that will interest them later, ”says Christophe Franken.
Nor will it be Michel Preud'homme, the former coach of Standard De Liège.
To know the name of the future coach of the Red Devils, it will be necessary to wait until at least mid-January, or even the beginning of February.
There is no rush since Belgium's next match will take place on March 24 against Sweden.
With Thierry Henry or not.
