Thierry Henry has opted to leave his position as coach of the France under-21 football team after leading the team to a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the French Football Federation (FFF) stated Monday.

The all-time leading striker for Premier League champions Arsenal took over as coach of the French junior team last summer and was under contract until June 2025, but he decided to leave for “personal reasons,” according to the FFF.

Earlier in July, former France international Henry managed Les Bleuets’ first trip to the Olympics men’s final since capturing gold in Los Angeles in 1984.

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His young team eventually lost 5-3 in extra time against Spain, ending a promising run that had begun poorly as Henry was forced to make multiple changes to his squad prior to the competition due to some clubs’ refusal to release their players for the Games.

“I would like to thank the FFF and President Philippe Diallo for giving me this incredible opportunity,” said Henry, 47, in an FFF statement.

“Winning an Olympic silver medal for my country will remain one of the proudest moments of my life. I’m incredibly grateful to the federation, the players, the staff and the fans for giving me this magical experience.”

Federation boss Diallo thanked the 1998 World Cup winner for “all the work he accomplished as coach of the Espoirs (under-21s) and Olympic sides”.

“We obviously regret this decision, as Thierry Henry was able to achieve the objectives set for him by winning a silver medal at the Olympic Games in Paris,” he added.

“Having followed him throughout this campaign, I witnessed first-hand his great professionalism, his rigour and his love for the blue jersey.”