Thierry Henry says Pep Guardiola 'opened my eyes' as ex-Arsenal star prepares France U-21 side for Euro qualifiers

Thierry Henry says Pep Guardiola "opened my eyes" to a new way of playing football during his time at Barcelona.

Having written himself into Arsenal folklore with his performances and achievements under the guidance of Arsene Wenger at the Premier League club, Henry made the move to the Catalan giants in 2007.

At the end of Henry’s disappointing first season at the Nou Camp, it was announced that Guardiola would be promoted from managing Barcelona B to take charge of the first team - replacing Frank Rijkaard.

Now a manager in his own right, and preparing to take charge of France Under-21s for the first time in a competitive match, Henry revealed his biggest inspirations.

Speaking to his former France team-mate Bixente Lizarazu on Telefoot, Henry said: "Being a manager is about asking the question: can you make your players more intelligent, understand football a bit better?

“Let’s use Pep Guardiola as an example. I thought I was good at football but when I arrived there at Barcelona I just thought, 'Wow, what is he talking about?'

“Arsene Wenger, when I arrived to Arsenal, opened up my spirit and my mind as a continuation of what I learned at the academy at Clairefontaine. Pep Guardiola opened my eyes.”

Henry scored 49 goals during his time at Barcelona, and he says Guardiola helped him become a more rounded player.

“It was him that made me understand that pressing was good. As an attacker in general, and you know this week, that you don’t normally want to do these things," he said.

"But then I developed a taste for pressing high and appreciate another area of the game."

Henry was appointed in August to his new role with France U-21s, and he will also lead the side into next year’s 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

His first game in charge saw Les Bleuets win 4-1 in a friendly against Denmark as they prepare to get their qualification campaign underway for the European U21 Championship, away at Slovenia on Monday September 11.

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