Thierry Henry is the wrong fit for Bournemouth and would be better suited to taking over from Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace instead, former Premier League midfielder Jamie O’Hara told talkSPORT (18 February, 9.40am).
With speculation suggesting that a modern-day footballing legend is the new frontrunner to take over from Jason Tindall at the Vitality Stadium, it is impossible not to think back to that old cliché (Guardian).
A great player, they say, does not often make a great manager.
There has been little in Henry’s admittedly-embryonic coaching career to suggest that the fiery Frenchman is capable of following in the footsteps of Pep Guardiola, Zidane Zidane and Johan Cruyff.
Henry won just four of 20 games during a miserable spell at Monaco two years ago, his time in the Principality beset by concerns over his tactical awareness and man-management.
The Arsenal legend has hardly set the world alight across the Atlantic at Montreal Impact either.
In the Championship, experience is king. Just look at the way Neil Warnock and Mick McCarthy, a pair of grizzled, lower-league veterans, have turned Middlesbrough and Cardiff into play-off contenders this season.
According O’Hara, Bournemouth would be on a hiding to nothing with Henry.
“I don’t think it’s a good appointment. I think it would be a big, big mistake,” said the former Tottenham and Wolves ace.
“Thierry Henry was an unbelievable Premier League player. The Championship is a different world. He’s never played in it, he’s never coached in it, he’s never managed in it.
“He’s went to Monaco, then he went to Montreal, he’s had 49 games in management and won 13 of them.
“He doesn’t know the Championship! He doesn’t know the players, he doesn’t know the teams. I can guarantee you he hasn’t been studying the Championship while he’s been at Montreal.
“So why’s he in the running when there’s great, young managers – like Jonathan Woodgate – who know the league and know the game.”
O’Hara actually feels that Henry would be a better fit at Crystal Palace, with 73-year-old Hodgson out of contract in the summer.
“He’s probably better suited to taking over a Premier League job. He’s better suited taking the Crystal Palace job. He knows the Premier league, its that style of football he will want to play,” O’Hara added.
“I’m not saying he deserves it but he’s better suited to it than the Bournemouth job.”
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