Thierry Henry looking to poach Arsenal coach and father of Ethan Ampadu to join him at Monaco

THIERRY HENRY wants to take Arsenal youth coach Kwame Ampadu with him when he becomes Moncao manager, according to reports.

Henry is closing in on accepting his first job in football management by taking up the vacancy with the French club over the weekend.

Thierry Henry is set to become the new Monaco boss – and wants to take an old Arsenal friend with him

The former Arsenal star is poised to take over from Leonardo Jardim, who was sacked earlier this week with the club slumped near the foot of Lique 1.

And according to the Mail Henry, 41, is ready to raid his old club for highly-rated under-18 coach Ampadu to take with him to the South of France.

Ampadu, 47, has gained a good reputation with his work with young talent with the Gunners having been snapped up after impressing at Exeter.

He is the father of Chelsea’s highly-rated teenage star Ethan Ampadu – who had worked with his dad at Exter while a schoolboy.

Thierry Henry wants Kwame Ampadu to join him when he takes charge of Monaco

Ampadu is the father of exciting Chelsea and Wales prospect Ethan Ampadu

And he got to know Henry while he helped the former France World Cup winner gain coaching experience working with the Academy at the club over the past few years.

Henry is currently away working with Belgium, but talks over assuming control at Monaco have reached the final stages.

He could even be installed as their new manager over the weekend if all goes to plan.

The former striker decided to end his work as a television pundit over the summer in order to concentrate on taking the first steps on his managerial career.

But he has turned down approaches from a series of sides, waiting for the right opportunity to come up.

Championship club Aston Villa were one of those interested in appointing him, but Henry rebuffed their approach last week.