Thierry Henry joins Belgium coaching staff

26 August 2016 10:53

Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has been named as an assistant to new Belgium coach Roberto Martinez.

Henry will be part of the backroom staff alongside Graeme Jones, who was Martinez's assistant at Swansea, Wigan and Everton.

The announcement was made as Martinez named his first senior squad since taking the Belgium job after Euro 2016.

The Belgian national team's official Twitter account quoted Martinez as saying: "Thierry Henry has been in the situation to change the spirit into winning something...

"I'm very satisfied that (the Belgian federation) has been able to create an impressive staff."

It was also announced that fitness coach Richard Evans, who like Jones followed Martinez from Swansea to Everton via Wigan, would take up a similar role with the national team.

Henry, a World Cup winner capped 123 times by France, has been working as a television pundit since ending his playing career with the New York Red Bulls in 2014.

He also spent time working at Arsenal's academy while gaining his UEFA 'A' licence, but last month turned down the opportunity to coach the club's Under-18 side.

Henry wrote on Twitter: "Honoured to be assistant coach @BelRedDevils. Thanks to Roberto Martinez & the Royal Belgian Football Association. Very excited. Can't wait."

Martinez named his first Belgium squad ahead of the friendly against Spain on September 1 and the opening World Cup qualifier against Cyprus on September 6.

Star names Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne are included along with Everton pair Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas, who worked with Martinez last season.

New Burnley signing Steven Defour returns, having not featured for the national team since last November, while Hazard's younger brother Thorgan will have a chance to add to his sole cap.

Source: PA