Football legend Henry hired as Montreal Impact manager

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - The Montreal Impact hired French football legend Thierry Henry as its new manager Thursday.

"Henry signed a two-year deal, with an option for 2022," the Major League Soccer club said on its website.

"We are extremely happy to announce the nomination of this legend of the game," said CEO Kevin Gilmore.

"It’s an honor to coach the Montreal Impact and return to MLS," Henry remarked. "It’s a league I know well, in which I had some very nice moments. To be in Quebec, in Montreal, which has an enormous multicultural heritage, it’s extraordinary. I’ve always kept an eye on the club and now I’m here," said the 1998 FIFA World Cup winner .

The 42-year-old played for Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal and Barcelona while in Europe.

Henry was an Arsenal veteran, scoring 228 goals in 375 appearances for the London giants.

In 2010, he left Barcelona to join the New York Red Bulls, his first overseas experience.

In 2016, he was an assistant coach of the Belgian national team, who earned a bronze medal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Last season, Henry managed Monaco but left the French club in January 2019 for poor form.

The 2017 French champions Monaco had a difficult time in the domestic league last season, feeling the heat of relegation.