Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has downplayed his departure from the club's coaching staff and says "nothing will change with my love for" the club.
Henry opted not to take a job as an assistant coach with Arsenal's under-18s in order to continue working as a TV pundit for Sky Sports during the upcoming season. The former striker, Arsenal's all-time leading scorer, had been helping the youth team during the last campaign while working toward his coaching badges and had been in the frame for a permanent role.
But he confirmed last week that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger felt he couldn't manage both roles effectively, which led to reports of a disagreement between them.
But Henry said the decision was taken before the end of last season, and that his time at the academy had helped increase his appreciation for Wenger.
"Nothing will change with my love for Arsenal. First and foremost, I wasn't an employee. I was allowed to go and pass my badges there. This decision was taken months ago, but I guess it came out now because the new season started and I wasn't there," Henry told The Sun, for whom he also writes a weekly column. "I worked for the under-18s last year and I completed the season even though I knew I wouldn't be staying on the following year.
"As you know, I have a current job [with Sky]. In my spare time, for free, I wanted to impart my knowledge and experiences in the game to the youngsters, while completing my coaching hours and also gaining knowledge to pass my pro licence.
"That is how it is, it was a dilemma that wasn't really a dilemma. I have to work. I respect the decision and if I can't complete my hours there, then I will do it somewhere else. It isn't an issue."
Henry said he still wants to go into coaching someday and could complete his badges at a different club. And he added that his experience at London Colney has "opened my eyes to a lot of stuff."
"I understand Arsene a bit more now, along with all the coaches that I had while I was playing. It is not easy, especially with everyone now speaking on social media and judging you and thinking they know. It is very difficult and very complicated," he said. "At the highest level, you have to deal with the press, with the egos, with tactics, with everyone, with sponsors, with the economy of the club.
"I have massive respect for those guys as before I used to arrive, train and leave. I couldn't care less about what was happening because my job was to perform.
"People don't care about the manager. When you finish a game, as a fan, the first thing you think about is what the manager did and whether he got it right. Or why he got it wrong.
"You never ask if the boss is OK or if he has problems himself. That guy has to front for everyone all the time, but nobody says 'I wonder if he has a problem at home?' or that they feel for him. Being on the other side, I see it. I would like to manage, but I am far from it."