Thierry Henry ‘wants the Belgian job – and is willing to take a lower salary than Martinez’s £2.65m’

Thierry Henry has reportedly told Belgium that he wants to become the national team’s head coach after serving as Roberto Martinez’s assistant.

The Arsenal legend has twice been an assistant manager at the Red Devils – most recently since 2021 – but it’s understood he now wants to step up his role and is willing to make less than Martinez’s millions to do so.

Although he hasn’t officially auditioned for the role, he has informally stated his intention to manage the national team, according to Belgian newspaper HLN.

Thierry Henry has reportedly told Belgium that he wants to become head coach of the national team

Roberto Martinez has stepped down as Belgium head coach after the disappointing early World Cup exit

It is understood that Henry made around £88,500 during his first stint as an assistant coach – all of which was donated to charity.

This compares to Martinez – who was also technical director – who earned around £2.65million a year including bonuses.

The Belgian reports suggest whoever secures the role will almost certainly earn less – but that’s something Henry wouldn’t put off.

It comes after Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku and Toby Alderweireld both publicly backed Henry for the job – with the Inter Milan striker claiming Henry would be the ‘ideal’ replacement for Martinez.

Martinez gave up his role after Belgium’s disappointing early exit from the World Cup and the Inter Milan striker believes one of his assistants is the next man in line.

Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku has made it clear he wants Henry to be the new head coach

Henry has worked with Belgium in two different stints under Martinez and Lukaku believes this gives him an advantage.

Speaking to Sky Italia, Lukaku made no attempt to hide his thoughts on his national team’s future.

Lukaku said: “For me, Henry is Belgium’s next coach. There is no doubt. I’ll say it openly: he will be the next coach.”

The ex-Man United striker, 29, added that Henry “has the respect of every player” and “won everything”.

“He knows how to train, he knows what we have to do to get there. He knows the team, the league, the staff… For me, he is the ideal coach for our national team,” Lukaku added.

Meanwhile, on the Peace on Earth TV show, Alderweireld said: “Thierry Henry has won everything there is to win in his career. Also, Henry knows the team, which is important.

Belgium had a terrible World Cup season in Qatar, winning just one game and scoring once

“I understand that a rejuvenation is necessary, but you also have to know where we are coming from. Henry would be the ultimate solution in that regard.”

Arsenal’s all-time leading scorer has experience of leading a team, having head-coached stints at Monaco and Montreal Impact, now CF Montreal.

Belgium will start their EURO qualifying campaign in March when they face Sweden. If Henry gets the role, he will have a mammoth task as the “golden generation” approaches its final stages.

The Red Devils had a great time at the World Cup in Qatar – they failed to break out of Group F after only defeating Canada with a 1-0 win in the opening game.

Martinez’s side then lost 2-0 to Morocco and drew 0-0 to Croatia. It means that despite the wealth of talent in Qatar, Belgium scored just one goal, courtesy of Michy Batshuayi.