Henry winless in first six games and a look at how other former pundits have fared

Aditya Devavrat 21:38 16/11/2018
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  • Thierry Henry hasn't made a great start to his managerial career.

    Thierry Henry‘s arrival as manager at former club Monaco was greeted with enthusiasm and intrigue, but things have quickly gone sour after his first six games went without a win.

    The last two of those games have been consecutive 4-0 losses at home, first against Club Brugge in the Champions League and then against Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.

    Henry’s struggles as manager seem familiar. Despite having had a legendary playing career and then earning respect for his punditry after hanging up his boots, the step up to management – which has included an apprenticeship as assistant coach of the Belgian national team, which finished third at the World Cup this year, their best-ever finish – has not been smooth.

    Here’s a look at how other pundits-turned-managers have fared in recent times.

    Gary Neville

    Gary Neville is perhaps the most high-profile example in recent times of how tough the move from punditry to management can be. Like Henry, the former Manchester United captain also had a stint as an assistant coach for a national team – England – before taking the reigns at Valencia in 2015.

    Given his tactical acumen as a pundit, most expected Neville to be a good manager. Yet he lasted just four months as Valencia boss, winning three of 16 league games. His nadir came at the Camp Nou, as he oversaw a 7-0 defeat to Barcelona. Even Henry hasn’t hit a low like that.

    Gary Neville's spell in charge of Valencia was disastrous.

    Gary Neville’s spell in charge of Valencia was disastrous.

    Alan Shearer

    Much like Neville, Alan Shearer had made a name for himself as an insightful pundit after joining BBC‘s ‘Match of the Day’ following his retirement in 2006.

    But when his beloved Newcastle came calling in 2009, mired in a relegation battle, Shearer left the safety of the BBC sofa to try to save his former club from dropping out of the Premier League. Alas, he could win only once in eight games, and the Magpies were relegated on the final day of the 2008-09 season.

    Shearer couldn't save boyhood club Newcastle from relegation.

    Shearer couldn’t save boyhood club Newcastle from relegation.

    Frank Lampard

    Lampard had started his commentary career even before finishing his playing career, which he finally did in early 2017. For the next year, the Englishman was a constant presence in the studio, though he made no secret of his managerial ambitions.

    Those were finally given a kick-start in May 2018, when he was appointed Derby County manager. The Rams have been flirting with promotion to the Premier League in recent seasons without getting over the hump, which means there’s plenty of pressure on the former Chelsea man. But he’s made a decent start, winning 11 out of 20 games, including a famous Carabao Cup win over Manchester United and former manager Jose Mourinho.

    Lampard is looking to lead Derby back into the Premier League.

    Lampard is looking to lead Derby back into the Premier League.

    Steven Gerrard

    Lampard may be under some pressure at Derby, but it’s nothing compared to what former England colleague Steven Gerrard is facing. The Liverpool legend, who combined punditry duties with a stint as academy manager at his boyhood club, took on the herculean task of restoring Rangers to former glory.

    So far Gerrard has acquitted himself well, leading the Glasgow club through Europa League qualifying to bring European football back to Ibrox. The club are locked in a battle to make the knockout stages, while they’re only two points behind fierce rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premiership table – though the gap on the pitch still feels larger than that.

    Gerrard has been leading a Rangers revival.

    Gerrard has been leading a Rangers revival.

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