Arsenal legend Thierry Henry will not be making a first foray into management at Ligue 1 side Bordeaux, with discussions between the two parties broken off.
Goal revealed on Monday that an agreement with the World Cup winner had been plunged into doubt as he raised serious questions about the support he would receive.
It has now been announced that talks are over, with Bordeaux president Stephane Martin telling AFP: “We can confirm the end of the negotiations.”
Following the decision to part company with Gus Poyet, negotiations with Henry had dragged on for 10 days.
A man currently working as an assistant to Belgium national team coach Roberto Martinez has expressed an interest to head out on his own and was open to starting that adventure in his native France.
It is, however, understood that Henry was concerned about the situation he would be inheriting at Bordeaux.
He was seeking assurances from the club’s incoming owners, with American businessman Joseph DaGrosa – head of the GACP group – set to take control on September.
Henry made it clear that he wanted to bring in new players before the summer transfer deadline in France passes on Friday.
He was also looking to appoint former Arsenal team-mate Gilles Grimandi as a new head of recruitment.
GACP declined those requests on financial grounds.
Some of the agents who work alongside GACP also started to doubt Henry’s suitability to the role as he was reluctant to take players from within their networks.
As a result, despite the 41-year-old having initially been their preferred choice, the search for Poyet’s successor is now set to move in a different direction.
For now, Eric Bedouet will continue in his role of caretaker manager, with three games overseen so far.
Bordeaux’s current owner, Nicolas De Tavernost, has also moved to quash talk of a breakdown in discussions with Henry leading to GACP reconsidering their position.
A takeover is still set to go through, with all of those connected with the club working hard to make the best possible additions from the boardroom to the playing field.
