Report: Henry's offer to work for free rejected by Arsenal boss Wenger

Thierry Henry is likely to make his early strides in coaching elsewhere after Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger rejected his former player's offer to work for free.

The Telegraph's Matt Law reports the head of the club's academy, Andries Jonker, offered Henry a job coaching the Under-18s, but that Wenger has overruled the decision.

The Gunners' legendary former forward then offered to coach part time for no compensation as he tried to balance his training ground commitments with his appearances on the Sky Sports' television panel, but this was again spurned by Wenger.

Henry required a coaching job to attain his UEFA pro-licence, but will now have to seek this elsewhere. Sources around the club have suggested that Wenger's decision is due to the Frenchman not wanting anybody to challenge his authority in north London - even the outfit's all-time record scorer.

BBC Sport's David Ornstein understands ex-captain Tony Adams, who managed Portsmouth between 2008 and 2009, will now oversee the U18s.

Henry's exit marks another Arsenal favourite beginning his coaching days elsewhere, following a path carved by New York City FC boss Patrick Vieira, Ajax staff Dennis Bergkamp and Marc Overmars, and new Manchester City assistant Mikel Arteta.

Vieira's role in Manchester City's youth setup and subsequent employment at sister club NYCFC is apparently seen as a cause for embarrassment at the London Colney training ground, and there will now be concerns that Wenger has let another talented coach slip away.