Henry in frame as Wales search for Page successor

Legendary former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry is one of the names being considered to succeed Rob Page as Wales manager.

Henry, who has previously managed the likes of Monaco and Montreal Impact, is in charge of France’s Under-21 side and is currently preparing to lead his country’s Olympic team for the Games in Paris next month.

But the 46-year-old has connections to Wales, having studied for his coaching badges with the Football Association of Wales (FAW).

The FAW sacked Page last Friday after three and a half years in charge, following Wales’ failure to qualify for Euro 2024.

The governing body plans to take its time in appointing a successor, with no fixture for Wales until they begin their Nations League campaign at home against Turkey in September.

Some FAW bosses are keen on hiring a big name, as they did when they appointed former Wales and Manchester United captain Ryan Giggs in 2018.

Henry would be an even higher-profile appointment, as one of his generation’s greatest players who remains prominent as a TV pundit as well as France’s Under-21s coach.

The FAW would not be able to offer Henry as large a salary as some other national associations but, as he would be able to maintain his lucrative media and sponsorship work if he were to become Wales manager, Welsh football’s governing body believes its own financial constraints would not necessarily stop the deal from happening.

It was a similar case when Giggs was in charge, with the Manchester United great dividing his time between various business and commercial interests as well as his managerial duties.

Henry had a stellar playing career, winning two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a host of individual honours during his time at Arsenal, becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer in the process.

He also won two La Liga titles and a Champions League at Barcelona before embarking on a coaching career which has seen him serve as an assistant to teams such as Belgium as well as managing in his own right.

Speaking on BBC Wales’ Elis James' Feast of Football podcast, former Wales striker Robert Earnshaw said: “I spent some time with Thierry on the coaching course a couple of years ago because he was on the Welsh FA course.

“He knows [FAW chief football officer] David Adams and the set-up, and he understands Welsh football. The one thing that stood out when I was sat with Thierry was his football brain is brilliant.

“With France Under-21s and the Olympic team, he understands young players. He would raise the bar and the level. I don't know whether he would want it. I could see someone like Thierry doing it. His football brain is brilliant, he's so sharp, advanced and has got great ideas.”