Montreal Impact hire French legend Thierry Henry as head coach

The Montreal Impact announced today that the club has filled its vacant coaching position, naming former Arsenal star Thierry Henry as head coach of the Major League Soccer team.

Henry, who most recently served as head coach with AS Monaco in Ligue 1, signed a two-year contract with the club with an option for the 2022 season.

”It’s an honour to coach the Montreal Impact and return to MLS,” Henry said. “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.”

Henry, 42, will succeed Wilmer Cabrera as IMFC coach after the latter was informed that he would not be returning to Montreal last month following the conclusion of his contract. Cabrera replaced Rémi Garde on Aug. 21, eventually leading the Impact to the Canadian Championship title.

The former French international is well-versed when it comes to MLS. Henry spent four-plus season with the New York Red Bulls, scoring 51 goals and adding 42 assists in 122 games. He was named to the MLS all-star team four times.

”We are extremely happy to announce the nomination of this legend of the game,” said Impact president and CEO Kevin Gilmore. “Henry will bring a new energy to our club. He shares our vision to elevate this club and will help us achieve our goals on and off the field.

”He is a competitor and a leader who has proven himself at the highest level throughout his career. He now brings these qualities with him to Montreal, a place he wants to be.”

Henry will be formally introduced on Monday and will be at the helm of the team as of mid-January when training camp begins, the Impact said in a release.

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