Thierry Henry banishes first team players to the reserves as he faces fight to avoid being sacked by Monaco

Henry is under pressure with his Monaco side second from bottom in Ligue 1

Thierry Henry is reportedly close to losing his job at Monaco (Getty)

Struggling Monaco manager Thierry Henry said he has banished “too many to name” from the first team to the reserves in an attempt to expel “players who are only thinking about their own futures”.

Henry issued a rallying call to Monaco in the wake of their 3-1 Coupe de France defeat at home to Metz amid reports he will be sacked.

The former France international has suffered a wretched start to his managerial career at Stade Louis II with the side second from bottom in the Ligue 1 standings.

Henry took over from Leonardo Jardim on October 13 last year, signing a deal with the club that finished runners-up in Ligue 1 last season until June 2021.

The 1998 World Cup winner has won just two of 12 league games during his time at the helm and not managed a single victory in front of the home Monaco support.

"In Dijon, it's going to be war. Same as Guingamp on Tuesday," Henry told the club's official website after the Metz defeat.

"It is absolutely necessary to get something in Dijon this weekend. I have the impression that there is a real problem at Stade Louis II. I have a hard time finding out why, I have a hard time believing it. The team makes more mistakes at home than away."

The 41-year-old also called for unity as he looks to arrest Les Rouges et Blancs' miserable run of form.

"It's in those moments where we have to be united, where we have to show ourselves, we have to be more decisive, we have to be mentally stronger," he added.

"We managed to erase these problems, but we fell back into our way.

"We will create a small group to go on a mission. With players who have the 'fibre' of the club. We will tighten all that.

"We must go and stop talking. The future of the players and the club goes through Ligue 1. It is necessary to get out of this critical situation and quickly."

Monaco are three points adrift of safety in the Ligue 1 relegation zone.

PA