Former RBNY star Thierry Henry signs on as Belgium assistant manager

Thierry Henry - takes a corner kick - final career game - Gillette Stadium

Former New York Red Bulls star Thierry Henry is joining the international coaching ranks -- but not for France, the country with which Henry won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and for which he is the leading all-time scorer.


The BBC reported on Friday that Henry, who starred at Arsenal and Barcelona before coming to MLS, will join new Belgium manager Roberto Martinez's staff as an assistant.


The 39-year-old Henry, who had 52 goals and 49 assists across all competitions with the Red Bulls from 2010-14, tweeted: "Honoured to be assistant coach, very excited, can't wait."


Martinez, most recently at Everton, replaced Marc Wilmots early this month after Wilmots was fired following Belgium's 3-1 loss to Wales in the Euro 2016 quarterfinals.


"Thierry is an important figure," Martinez said. "He will bring something different. He agreed right away to join us."