Cesc Fabregas has admitted a reunion with former Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry was a big motivation for him to join Monaco from Chelsea this transfer window.
Henry took charge at the principality club in October with the remit of pulling them away from the relegation zone in Ligue 1, but after a string of poor results he was sacked last week.
How bad was Henry’s reign at Monaco? Five key things to know…
- Monaco were in the Ligue 1 relegation zone when Henry took over, and they remain in 19th position.
- Henry led the team to just two victories in 12 Ligue 1 games and failed to win a home match.
- The Frenchman criticised his players on a number of occasions and eventually sent some members of the first-team squad to train with the reserves.
- As a result, he was suspended on Thursday with the club subsequently taking the decision to axe him.
- Henry has been replaced by Leonardo Jardim, the man he took the reins from three months ago.
However, the Frenchman managed just four wins from his 20 games in charge across all competitions and has since been replaced by Leonardo Jardim, who was in the hot-seat before Henry.
Fabregas was one of a number of signings Henry made during the January transfer window, and the Spanish midfielder is clearly disappointed at his friend’s dismissal, having only managed to play three games under his management.
“I am not going to lie, one of the main reasons for me coming to Monaco is that Thierry called me,” said Fabregas, who played alongside Henry at Arsenal between 2003 and 2011. “He wanted me to play every game, every minute.”
Despite Henry’s first foray in football management being such a disappointment, Fabregas has backed the former Belgium assistant coach to come back stronger next time.
“We are sad for ‘Titi’ because I really think he will be a top coach, I am sure of it,” he added.
“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 may have wanted a reunion with Henry and was certainly seeking first-team football away from Chelsea, but the transfer was largely facilitated by the fact that Fabregas and Henry share the same agent Darren Dein, son of former Arsenal board member David Dein.
It has been reported that Monaco had an extensive midfield shortlist and Fabregas was low on the agenda as the 31-year-old does not fit the club’s policy of buying, with the view of selling on for a future profit.
Gelson Martins joins Monaco survival battle
Monaco currently sit 19th in the Ligue 1 table but are only three points from safety and have been boosted by the recent arrival of Atletico Madrid winger, Gelson Martins.
The Portugal international has signed on loan until the end of the season having struggled to impose himself on the Atletico first team, starting just one La Liga match since his arrival in the summer of 2018.
The 23-year-old is eager to help his new teammates get out of their current predicament, saying: “I am very happy to arrive at AS Monaco. I cannot wait to get back on the field with my new teammates and do my best to help the team.”
Monaco’s next Ligue 1 game is at home to Toulouse on Saturday.
The post Fabregas admits now-sacked Henry the main reason for leaving Chelsea appeared first on Squawka News.
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