Thierry Henry: Arsenal legend named as new Belgium assistant manager

The Arsenal legend will remain in his role as pundit for Sky Sports

Henry will work alongside former Everton manager Roberto Martinez (Getty)

Thierry Henry has been named as the Belgium national team’s new assistant coach.

The Arsenal legend will remain in his role as a pundit for Sky Sports while working alongside head coach Roberto Martinez.

Henry, 39, left Arsenal's backroom staff earlier this summer after the north London club asked him to focus solely on coaching.

The former France international joins Belgium's backroom staff alonside Graeme Jones, Martinez's assistant at Swansea City, Wigan Athletic and Everton.

The Belgian national team's official Twitter account quoted Martinez as saying: "Thierry Henry has been in the situation to change the spirit into winning something...

"I'm very satisfied that (the Belgian federation) has been able to create an impressive staff."

Henry tweeted: "Honoured to be assistant coach @BelRedDevils. Thanks to Roberto Martinez & the Royal Belgian Football Association. Very excited. Can't wait."

It was also announced that fitness coach Richard Evans, who like Jones followed Martinez from Swansea to Everton via Wigan, would take up a similar role with the national team.

Martinez named his first Belgium squad ahead of the friendly against Spain on September 1 and the opening World Cup qualifier against Cyprus on September 6.

Star names Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne are included along with Everton pair Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas, who worked with Martinez last season.

New Burnley signing Steven Defour returns, having not featured for the national team since last November, while Hazard's younger brother Thorgan will have a chance to add to his sole cap.

Additional reporting by PA