Citing family reasons, head coach Thierry Henry is leaving CF Montreal to return to London.
“It is with a heavy heart that I’ve decided to take this decision,” the former French international star said in a statement Thursday. “The last year has been an extremely difficult one for me personally. Due to the worldwide pandemic, I was unable to see my children.
“Unfortunately due to the ongoing restrictions and the fact that we will have to relocate to the U.S. again for several months, (this year) will be no different. The separation is too much of a strain for me and my kids. Therefore, it is with much sadness that I must take the decision to return to London and leave CF Montreal.”
Henry took over as Montreal coach in November 2019. He led the 8-13-2 team to the playoffs last season for the first time since 2016.
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Montreal, which finished out the 2020 season in Harrison, N.J., due to pandemic-related travel restrictions, exited in the play-in round thanks to a 95th-minute goal by New England’s Gustavo Bou.
“We had an impossible year together and to make the playoffs with this group of people is an experience that I will never forget,” Henry said. “Thank you all for being there on this journey and I wish you all the success for the future.”
Henry had been linked to England’s Bournemouth in recent days. But the Championship side recently handed the manager’s job to Jonathan Woodgate through the end of the season.
“Thierry’s departure is unfortunate and premature because this was very promising, but he informed me of his desire to be back with his family because the situation was and remains very difficult for both him and his family,” Montreal sporting director Olivier Renard said.
“I want to thank him, first on a human level because he led the players by example last year by being away from his family, but also from a sporting level and for what we have built together since his arrival. We wanted to elevate this club and we are on the right track.”
Renard said the search for a new coach is underway.
Henry’s announcement comes on the eve of Montreal’s training camp. Players report Monday for a seven-day quarantine period, medicals and COVID-19 testing prior to the start of team training March 8.
The regular season kicks off April 17.
Henry was a renowned striker whose club resume includes Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal, Barcelona and the New York Red Bulls. He was an assistant coach with the Belgian national team before taking charge of Monaco and Montreal.
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