Three ways Thierry Henry’s Monaco could line up inspired by his greatest managerial influences

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Thierry Henry has returned to where it all started for him after AS Monaco named him as their fifth permanent manager this decade.

His appointment comes on the back of a disappointing start to 2018/19 for The Monégasques who find themselves second from bottom in Ligue 1 upon Henry’s arrival.

It’s worth remembering they were Champions League semi-finalists and French champions under the now departed Leonardo Jardim two seasons ago with a squad that boasted some of the continent’s exciting talents, including a certain Kylian Mbappé.

And it has been their inability to keep hold of such players, which is a predicament many others face, that has led us to where we are today.

That being said, Monaco are not short of quality, it’s down to Henry to unleash their potential, which makes his signing that more fascinating.

As a footballer, we knew what to expect from Mr. Va Va Voom. As a manager? Time will tell.

But we can start from somewhere. Henry, who until recently coached the Belgian national team, has learned at the feet of some top managers. And it’s very likely his own approach could be adapted from them.

So, as he prepares for the next chapter of his life, we’ve come up with three ways Monaco could line up based on Henry’s journey.

Arsene Wenger’s Invincible 4-4-2

Henry will forever be synonymous with Arsenal Football Club during eight scintillating years he lit up English football, bagging 226 goals along the way, as he helped the Gunners and their revolutionary manager Arsene Wenger lift two league titles and the same number of FA Cups.

It was halfway through that first spell history was made. Arsenal’s class of 2003/04 became only the second English top division club (and first in the Premier League era) to go an entire league season unbeaten.

No campaign better illustrated Wenger’s vision: in terms of playing style and execution. There’s no doubt this period has made a lasting impression on Henry who knows his mentor’s 4-4-2 like the back of his hand.

Could we see it being replicated in the principality? Well, for one thing, he’s got the personnel. Back then Arsenal were laced with experience with a spattering of youth. It’s the opposite now for Titi as Monaco’s squad is the youngest in Ligue 1 with an average age of 23.7.

Of course, there are experienced campaigners: Danijel Subasic (33) is likely to be his man beneath the sticks, but given his own story, having been trusted so young, it could be to his players’ advantage with some waiting for that opportunity. Starting further up the pitch, where Henry is at home, someone like Pietro Pellegri (17) could be transformed.

Henry, a cerebral striker who enjoyed an illustrious partnership with deep-lying forward extraordinaire Dennis Bergkamp, will be hoping he can forge something akin between Pellegri and Radamel Falcao.

The flanks will also be important. Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg were devastating in Wenger’s system and you can imagine the same could then be said of Rony Lopes who is already proving to be effective from the right wing – the Portuguese scored more goals (17) last season than in his entire career previously combined.

Moussa Sylla and Willem Geubbels, both promising teenagers, will hope to catch Henry’s eye and play a role from the opposite side.

Elsewhere there needs to be the right central midfield dynamic – Youri Tielemans, who is no stranger to Henry, and Jean-Eudes Aholou already know each other well – as well as full-backs [Djibril Sidibé and Antonio Barreca] operating on their natural side to ensure width is provided with both wide midfielders looking to play within the width of the penalty area.

Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering 4-3-3

If you can’t beat them join them. A year after losing to Barcelona in the Champions League final, Henry took his talents to Camp Nou where he’d subsequently enjoy three seasons playing alongside the likes of Xavi, Samuel Eto’o and one Lionel Messi.

His first campaign, the last with Frank Rijkaard at the helm, was a trophyless one but things dramatically changed when Pep Guardiola entered the fray. Seen as a gamble by the Barça board, given his only managerial experience was at a much lower level, it paid dividends in the most spectacular way.

Playing breathtaking football, heavily influenced by Guardiola’s teacher Johan Cruyff, the Catalan giants swept everything before them clinching the Spanish championship, Copa del Rey and European Cup.

For the now veteran Henry, he was thriving in a different system, an Ajax-esque 4-3-3. The Frenchman shared the forward line with Eto’o and Messi and were supported by an irresistible midfield triumvirate consisting of Sergio Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta.

Although it wasn’t a new way of playing, to many this was seen as the future and Henry – who learnt so much from Guardiola – could be compelled to follow his former boss. And he’s in luck with Monaco providing him with the right tools.

First, sort out the midfield, which is naturally the engine room. Tielemans, who is starting to fulfil his potential, can operate in front of the back-four with the much-coveted Aleksandr Golovin and Adama Traoré pulling the strings (as well as getting involved as much as possible) in front of him.

Ahead of them will be Lopes and Falcao plus La Masia graduate Jordi Mboula who to date has featured across six league outings this season but is yet to contribute with a goal or assist.

Having a manager that can unleash what he learnt growing up can be a game changer for the Granollers-born forward.

Benjamin Henrichs’ inclusion at left-back is interesting. Despite not being naturally left-footed, the versatility and relative two-footedness that allows him to play across the backline, and even in midfield, means that he will comfortably tuck inside á la Dani Alves.

Henrichs’ own lack of width would then, in turn, afford Mboula the space out wide to isolate opponents and devastate them with his speed and dribbling ability.

Roberto Martinez’s Belgian 3-4-3

Going into coaching (essentially giving back) was always on Henry’s mind. His first steps came in August 2016 when he was named as Roberto Martinez’s assistant following the former Wigan and Everton manager’s appointment with Belgium.

Up until recently, it was a role that did not have his undivided attention as France’s record goalscorer juggled those duties with punditry work notably on Sky Sports. That changed in the summer, however, as he left to focus on entering the world of management.

His departure has been met with sadness among Belgium’s players – for someone like Romelu Lukaku he absorbed so much information and that has only benefited his development as a number nine – as Henry was an invaluable member of their success in reaching third place at this summer’s World Cup.

Belgium under Martinez’s auspices have predominantly utilised a 3-4-3 shape; given it’s the formation that he’s been exposed to most recently it stands to reason it will follow Henry to Fontvieille.

Again there’s no reason not to play the system. Henry reunites with Nacer Chadli who has often been used as a left wing-back by Martinez and he’ll be the perfect foil for his opposite number Djibril Sidibé.

A back-three consisting of Jemerson, Kamil Glik and Benjamin Henrichs provide flexibility and protection. And in front of them is Tielemans, another familiar with the shape, and Youssef Aït Bennasser who already has two Ligue 1 assists to his name this season.

One reason why Martinez went for a 3-4-3 is to fit his most creative and dangerous players (Dries Mertens, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and the aforementioned Lukaku) which is going to be music to Stevan Jovetic’s ears.

He won’t be doing it alone with Golovin and Falcao also giving opposition defenders something to think about.

The post Three ways Thierry Henry’s Monaco could line up inspired by his greatest managerial influences appeared first on Squawka News.



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