Aston Villa have held talks with Thierry Henry as they look to bring in a new manager to replace sacked Steve Bruce, Goal can confirm.
Bruce had led the Championship side to the promotion play-offs in the 2017-18 season, eventually losing to Fulham in the final, but a rapid dip in form in the new term forced the Birmingham club into action.
One particularly disgruntled supporter threw a cabbage at Bruce in his final match in charge, a 3-3 draw with Preston North End after relinquishing a two-goal lead.
Operating in much the same way as he did during talks to take over at Bordeaux, Henry has been seeking assurances over his influence over transfers and player budget should he take over at Villa Park.
The Frenchman will need guarantees from the Villans, however, with the former Arsenal and Barcelona striker having turned down the Bordeaux role due to financial reasons.
Joe DaGrosa, head of GACP, Bordeaux's owners, told L'Equipe at the time: “We had hoped to reach an agreement with Thierry Henry, but sometimes reasonable people can disagree. That's what happened. I have a lot of respect for him.
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“He was a great player and he has a very interesting career plan, but we took a financial decision and not an emotional one."
John Terry, who most recently turned out for Villa before failing to secure a move to another club, announced his retirement from playing football on Sunday and has been mooted as Henry's assistant.
There are no certainties over whether Terry will be offered the role, though the former Chelsea captain has made no secret of his desire to turn his hand to coaching.
In terms of Henry's current role as assistant coach of the Belgium national team, it is understood that the FA will not stand in the 41-year-old's way if he decided to take Villa up on their offer.
As yet, however, the country's governing body have not received a formal approach from the Championship side.
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