MONTREAL — CF Montreal lost a head coach and Major League Soccer said goodbye to a marquee name with news Thursday that Thierry Henry was stepping down.
Citing family reasons, the 43-year-old former star striker said he was quitting the club after one season at the helm to return to London. Kevin Gilmore, Montreal’s president and CEO, called it a “difficult day,” but said Henry was leaving on good terms.
“I’m surprised but given the circumstances it doesn’t shock me that this has happened given what he went through last year,” Gilmore said.
Separation from his children, plus the prospect of having to spend another season on the road due to pandemic-related travel restrictions, contributed to Henry’s decision.