William Gallas believes Thierry Henry made the right move in choosing Monaco over likes of Aston Villa and Bordeaux

WILLIAM GALLAS has backed Thierry Henry’s decision to join Monaco as he succeeds Leonardo Jardim at the helm of the Ligue 1 club.

The former defender believes his former France and Arsenal team-mate made the right decision to turn down approaches from Bordeaux and Aston Villa.

William Gallas has backed former team-mate Thierry Henry to succeed as Monaco boss

Henry, 41, has agreed a three-year deal with the Ligue 1 club in what is his first managerial role

Henry has signed a three-year deal with Monaco as he returns to the club he spent six seasons at as a player.

Speaking at the Teqball World Cup, Gallas said: “He (Thierry Henry) is the right person for the job because he is a passionate person first and foremost.

“When he was a player, he knew every player in Ligue 1, Ligue 2 and at the national level, so it’s somebody who is really interested in football whether in France, Europe or the world.

“He just needed the right opportunity to coach. Before Monaco, he had other options: Aston Villa offered him the position, he didn’t want it.

Gallas believes Henry made the right decision to turn down Aston Villa and Bordeaux

Henry spent six seasons as a player with Monaco, winning the Ligue 1 title in 1997

“Same thing for Bordeaux, he didn’t want it either. He knew why. I think Monaco gave him assurances on some points that must have been very important to him.

“And moreover, Monaco, that’s where he started his career. So it is destiny that he is to come back to Monaco as a coach. And I’m very happy for him.”

While Robert Pires is also backing the Gunners legend to succeed, he said: “With Thierry Henry you need to be patient. Patience is very important even for him. You need to talk with the players.

“To talk about the tactics on the field. I think for him, the most important is because he learned a lot of things from Roberto Martinez.

Robert Pires believes Henry will be a huge success with Monaco

“And I think when he used to play, I don’t know with Arsenal with (Arsene) Wenger or with Barcelona with Pep Guardiola, he learnt a lot of things about this because he was of course, a great player.

“So now it’s totally different you know, player and manager is not the same job.

“But I think he can make a success because Titi, he knows everything about football, about the teams, about the players.

“So yeah, I’m very confident for Titi, yes.”