I’m a three-time Premier League winner but I retired at 38 to take up first job in management alongside Thierry Henry

EX-ARSENAL and Manchester City defender Gael Clichy has retired from football to become Thierry Henry’s assistant with France’s U21s.

The former left-back, 38, spent several years playing alongside Henry in North London.

GettyGael Clichy, left, won one Premier League title with Arsenal alongside Thierry Henry, right[/caption]

Clichy also claimed to Premier League titles with Manchester CityGetty

And the pair lifted the Premier League trophy as part of the famous Invincibles side in 2004 – with Clichy playing 12 league games.

He also won the FA Cup and reached the Champions League final with Henry.

Clichy eventually left the Gunners in 2011 and joined Manchester City where he remained for six years.

He won two more league titles at the Etihad as well as two League Cups.

Clichy also earned 20 caps for his country between 2008 and 2013.

Since 2017, he spent three seasons with Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir, before he joined Swiss outfit Servette in 2020.

And that’s where he remained until Henry came calling.

In August, Clichy agreed to join France’s U21s as an assistant coach to the Arsenal legend.

As a result, he hung up his boots to pursue coaching.

Now he will be looking to help Henry to glory at the 2025 U21 European Championship.

Earlier this year, France were eliminated from the Euros at the quarter-final stage following a 3-1 defeat to Ukraine.