
<p>Former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a> legend Thierry Henry is reportedly set to be named manager of the France U21 team. <em><a href="https://www.leparisien.fr/sports/football/equipe-de-france-espoirs-thierry-henry-toujours-en-pole-pour-succeder-a-sylvain-ripoll-17-08-2023-FH2I4EAH25HWBBQQDGX7GLO4HY.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Le Parisien</a></em> is reporting that the French Football Federation (FFF) handpicked the former striker to take the position. There is currently a vacancy on the U21 France team following the dismissal of Sylvain Ripoll. The former Lorient manager was also previously in charge of the French Olympic squad in 2021 as well.</p>



<h5>star striker proclaimed desire to manage again</h5>



<p>Henry has made it clear that he wants to return to management. In fact, he spoke about the opportunity to perhaps even run the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">USMNT</a> back in February. While discussing his future during <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">Champions League</a> coverage on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/channels/paramount-plus-2/">Paramount+</a>, Henry stated that he was ready to be a manager once again. This would affect his role with the popular CBS Sports coverage.</p>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/channels/cbs-sports-network/">CBS Sports</a> host Kate Abdo directly asked Henry if he would want the USMNT job during the telecast. “Would I put my name in the hat? First and foremost, that’s a tricky one to talk about,” <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/thierry-henry-puts-his-name-in-the-hat-for-usmnt-job-20230216-WST-420113.html">replied</a> Henry. “Roberto Martinez went to coach Portugal and I’m not going with him. Being a number two is no longer something I would like to do.”</p>



<p>“Massive respect for the boss, he gave me an opportunity when no one else did. I’d like to have a crack [at management] again.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thierry Henry wasn’t doing <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> on CBS from the very start but he’s certainly been a welcome addition. 🤝<br><br>Happy third anniversary of our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/championsleague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#championsleague</a> show! See you in September. 👋 <a href="https://t.co/8W9NkFdPzx">pic.twitter.com/8W9NkFdPzx</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1688665553580240896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>Thierry Henry brings up-and-down experience to France U21 side</h2>



<p>While he may not have received the USMNT position, Henry looks set to finally get back to being a manager again. The former forward previously took over at a struggling Monaco team back in the fall of 2018. The <a href="https://www.worldsoccertalk.com/ligue-un-tv-schedule">Ligue 1</a> outfit sat 18th in the table at the time of Henry’s hiring. However, the club continued their dismal display under the legendary player and the team ultimately made another managerial change just three months later.</p>



<p>After a brief hiatus from coaching, Henry was then named head coach of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">MLS</a> side Montreal ahead of the 2020 season. The Frenchman led the Canadian club to their first playoff appearance in four years during his lone campaign in MLS. Henry decided to depart Montreal in February 2021 for family reasons.</p>



<p>The France U21 team is widely regarded as one of the top youth teams in all of Europe. The team’s current roster consists of budding stars waiting for their turn with the senior France squad. This includes Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise, Lyon’s Max Caqueret and Montpellier forward Elye Wahi.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Action Plus</em></p>


Thierry Henry set to become France U21 manager, says report

Thierry Henry is reportedly ready to be appointed head coach of the France U21 national team, meaning the Olympics is a possibility.


<p>UEFA is reportedly ready to introduce VAR to the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/cbs-sports-is-exclusive-home-of-uefa-euro-u-21-championship-20230621-WST-438811.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2023 U-21 Euros</a> currently underway. The European governing body of the sport is deciding after a massive refereeing mistake during a match on Thursday. However, while the tournament just began, reports claim integrating the technology will take time.</p>



<p>According to <a href="https://football-italia.net/u21-euro-uefa-to-introduce-var-and-goal-line-technology-after-italy-scandal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Italian sources</a>, UEFA has made the decision to introduce VAR at the quarterfinal stage of the competition. The competition only just started on Wednesday. If these reports are true, the technology comes in Saturday, July 1.</p>



<h2>UEFA U-21 Euros needs VAR after costly mistakes</h2>



<p>Thursday’s matchup in the tournament between Italy and France ended in controversy after a clear goal was not given. Italy trailed France 2-1 in the latter stages of the group stage game. Raoul Bellanova seemingly leveled the scoreline in added time to help give Italy one point in the group. However, match officials failed to see the ball cross the goal line and the fixture ended with a France victory.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Highlights: Francia-Italia 2-1 | U21 EURO 2023" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YYrG6BlIRr4?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>Along with the disallowed goal, Italy disagreed with two other significant decisions as well. The Italians felt France’s game-winning goal should not have counted because of a foul moments before the shot. There was also supposedly a missed handball by French defender Pierre Kalulu inside the box.</p>



<p>After the match, Italy U-21 coach Paolo Nicolato fumed at the refereeing decisions.  “I don’t expect the referee to apologize,” <a href="https://sport.sky.it/calcio/europei/2023/06/23/italia-svizzera-under-21-nicolato-conferenza" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">claimed</a> the coach. “He too won’t be satisfied with himself. The impression is that the referees are used to using VAR. Without it, they no longer know how to make decisions quickly.”</p>



<h5>Group stage games remain before quarters begin</h5>



<p>The quarterfinals begin the knockout round of the tournament. Romania and Georgia are the hosts. There are 16 teams taking part in the competition, with half of them moving on to the quarterfinals.</p>



<p>Following Thursday’s defeat, Italy sit bottom of Group D of the 2023 U-21 Euros. The Italians next face group leaders Switzerland on Sunday in a crucial match. Another loss could very well end their tournament prematurely. </p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Anca Tapei</em></p>


UEFA is reportedly set to introduce VAR to the 2023 U-21 Euros tournament after a massive refereeing mistake in a game on Thursday.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "U21"

CBS Sports

Thierry Henry set to become France U21 manager, says report

European Championship

UEFA set to add VAR to U21 Euros after blunder