In a moment that could be termed as a blend of humiliation and enlightenment, Gael Clichy, the assistant manager for France U21 and a former Arsenal man, was bested by 18-year-old Mathys Tel during a training session.
The incident, though mildly embarrassing for the seasoned Clichy, speaks volumes about the promising future of France’s young football talents.
Clichy, who is now the assistant manager to Thierry Henry with the France U21 side, joined a training session and was embarrassed by Mathys Tel, an 18-year-old forward who plays for Bayern Munich.
Clichy, 38, transitioned to coaching after a career that lasted more than 20 years and included stints at multiple clubs.
Most recently, he played for Swiss side Servette.
He joined the France U21 coaching setup alongside his former Arsenal teammate Henry.
Clichy decided to participate in a recent training session, clearly in decent shape despite having hung up his boots only a few months ago.
During the session, he took on the role of an aggressor and raced to close down Tel. However, the young forward flicked the ball over Clichy’s head, leading him to lose his balance and tumble onto the grass.
The moment was captured in a clip posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
Gaël Clichy, now assistant coach to Thierry Henry with the France U21s, is sent flying by Mathys Tel. pic.twitter.com/m92BXFlhe1
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) October 12, 2023
While the incident may have been a bit embarrassing for Clichy, it served as an amusing moment for onlookers and possibly a teaching moment for France’s upcoming stars.
After all, being bested by an up-and-coming talent like Tel, who clearly has the technical skills to hold his own, is hardly a shameful feat.
Despite the minor hiccup, Clichy continues to contribute his wealth of experience to a young and vibrant France U21 team, as they navigate their way through various competitions under the guidance of two former Arsenal greats.
The incident is a gentle reminder that while age might take a toll on the agility and speed of athletes, the value of experience and mentorship in football remains ageless.