Thierry Henry tipped for unlikely new job as Arsenal legend faces tough France decision

Thierry Henry has been backed to replace Steve Clarke as Scotland manager. The Tartan Army were knocked out of Euro 2024 on Sunday night following a 1-0 defeat to Hungary at the Stuttgart Arena.

Scotland needed a win to secure a place in the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time, but they managed just four shots – none of which hit the target. In the dying embers of the clash, Kevin Csoboth fired Hungary ahead, crushing the Tartan Army's dreams of European glory.

Clarke's side finished bottom of Group A with just one point to their name, and now the head coach faces an uncertain future at Hampden Park. He sees his contract as Scotland boss expire in July 2026 – by which stage the next World Cup will have concluded.

In an interview with FourFourTwo, Robert Earnshaw suggested Henry should replace Clarke and lead Scotland's qualifying campaign. The former Wales international said: "One name who is left field but I'd throw is Thierry Henry.

"It's my own personal thought. 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 (technical director) 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 U21s and the Olympic team, he understands young players. He would raise the bar and the level."

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Earnshaw added: "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."

Henry is currently preparing to coach France at the Paris Olympics next month. The Arsenal legend will be hoping to get his hands on a gold medal, naming the likes of Michael Olise, Alexandre Lacazette and Jean-Philippe Mateta in his squad.

He started his coaching career in 2015, becoming an under-19 coach at Arsenal. Then, Henry was named as Roberto Martinez's assistant manager at Belgium for Euro 2016 before taking his first managerial job at Monaco in 2018.

The Frenchman jetted off to Canada in 2019 to take the reins at Montreal Impact in the MLS. Henry eventually returned to Belgium as assistant manager for the 2022 World Cup before taking over the France under-21s and the France side for the Paris Olympics.