Cesc Fabregas believes Thierry Henry will still become a “top coach” despite lasting just three months in charge at struggling Monaco. Having previously worked as an assistant coach with the Belgian national team, The French World cup winner was appointed as coach in October, breaking out on his own in management for the first time.
Fabregas, who shares the same agent as Henry, left Chelsea to team up with the former France striker when he signed a three-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee on January 11. The midfielder had played just three games under Henry before the latter was sacked last week in a move which saw the principality club replace him with predecessor Leonardo Jardim.
“We are sad for ‘Titi’ because I really think he will be a top coach, I am sure of it,” Fabregas said on Monday of Henry, with whom he played at Arsenal earlier in his career. “Football doesn’t wait and maybe it was not the right moment or he didn’t have the time to fulfil all his plans and everything he wanted to do. That is life, it happens.”
Fabregas could be forgiven for wondering what he has let himself in for, with the 2017 French champions currently in the Ligue 1 relegation zone. “I am not going to lie, one of the main reasons for me coming to Monaco is that Thierry called me,” added the 31-year-old. “He wanted me to play every game, every minute.”
Fabregas and his team-mates are currently in Brittany preparing for a League Cup semi-final against Guingamp on Tuesday as they look to reach the final of that competition for the third season running. After losing 2-0 at Dijon at the weekend with Henry’s assistant Franck Passi in charge, this will be Jardim’s first game back in charge. Fabregas said he is convinced the Portuguese coach, who masterminded Monaco’s title triumph and run to the Champions League semi-finals two seasons ago, can “bring experience and calm to the squad, and new ideas”.
The Monaco board quickly decided on Henry, and he was appointed a mere two days after Jardim was sacked. He signed a three-year deal, and was unveiled as Monaco manager on 18 October. At his first press conference, he told reporters: “This club will always have a big place in my heart, so to be able to come here and start again, it is a dream come true. There is a lot of work to do, as you can imagine – but I am more than happy to be here”