8 Jul 2026 10:58 BST |
4 min read
Make us your Google favourite
Thierry Henry could be set for a surprise return to elite football, with the Arsenal legend among the candidates to replace Jurgen Klopp as Red Bull’s head of global soccer.
Henry earned legendary status during a playing career that saw him become Arsenal’s all-time leading scorer and win the Champions League with Barcelona.
Since retiring in 2014, he has been an assistant coach with the Belgium national team as well as a head coach at Monaco, Montreal Impact and France U21, though he has perhaps been best known for his work as a pundit, currently working at the 2026 World Cup with Fox Sports in tandem with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexi Lalas.
The 48-year-old, however, could be on his way back to the professional game as a replacement for Klopp with Red Bull should the former Liverpool manager take up a role with Germany as expected.
Bild reports that Henry is one of a number of candidates being considered by the company to lead its project, which is spearheaded by RB Leipzig but also contains the likes of Red Bull Salzburg and Paris FC.
Tellingly, Henry has previously worked with the ownership group, having finished his career with New York Red Bulls, who he twice helped win the MLS Eastern Conference.
He faces significant competition, however. Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krosche is considered the hot favourite for the post, with Roger Schmidt, the former Benfica coach, the other two leading candidates for the role, according to the German source.
The Arsenal legend was also linked with the RB Leipzig head coach role last summer, at which point it was confirmed that Red Bull holds him in high regard.
Sky Sport Deutschland reporter Philipp Heinze confirmed: “Thierry Henry is not a coaching candidate at RB Leipzig. He is highly regarded and may eventually become an official part of the Red Bull group. Currently, however, he is not an option for the Leipzig head coaching position.”
This would appear to back up claims that he could be in line for the role Klopp is about to vacate.
What does Red Bull’s head of global soccer do?
Red Bull has been noted for its talent development, with Erling Haaland perhaps the most notable figure to have worked with the company during an explosive stint with Salzburg.
Identifying young prospects is a key part of the head of global soccer role, yet there is more to it than that.
Klopp described the job as being one that sets a vision of football that is to be used across the brand’s clubs.
“I want people to see us playing and without reading the name on the shirt, they should feel it – they should know we’re Red Bull,” he said upon joining the company.
“I love the Red Bull sports idea. It’s exciting, it’s adventurous, it’s innovative and I want to be part of that – and now I am.”
But the role is more nuanced than simply providing a template to produce identikit teams, Klopp says.
“You cannot just put one idea on different cultures,” he explained. “You have to feel what’s right for that. What I said before: I want us to be more intense… I want people to see us playing and without reading the name on the shirt, they should feel it; they should know it. That’s really lively. So, yeah, there will be some fire, I’d say.”
Klopp has also been responsible for mentoring coaches and providing advice to sporting directors across the Red Bull network.
Thierry Henry’s managerial record
Henry’s CV in management is chequered. He barely lasted three months as Monaco head coach in 2018-19, winning just four of 20 matches in charge while his single season at Montreal Impact ended with just nine wins from 29.
There was more success with France’s Olympic team, who he helped claim a silver medal at the 2024 Paris games.
Since leaving that role, he has been content to work in television, though it appears there remain openings for him at the top of the professional game if this is something he wants to explore.
