Romelu Lukaku prefers Thierry Henry as the new national coach of the Red Devils

If it were up to Romelu Lukaku, Frenchman Thierry Henry would succeed Spaniard Roberto Martinez as coach of the Red Devils. The Inter Milan striker stated this in an interview with Sky Italia.

"For me, Henry should be the next national coach of Belgium," the 29-year-old top scorer of the Belgian national soccer team told Sky. After Belgium's elimination in the group stage at the World Cup in Qatar, Lukaku was consoled along the sidelines by Henry, already assistant to Martinez. "He has to take over. He has a winner's mentality, has already won everything in his career and has respect for every player", Lukaku said.

"He knows how to train, and he knows how to achieve our goals. He is the ideal man for the job. Our generation may not have won anything yet, but the basis is there, and we have to continue on this path to get that big win."

Lukaku's opinion is not insignificant. A 'task force' including Bart Verhaeghe (president of Club Brugge), Sven Jaecques (general manager of Royal Antwerp F.C.) and Pierre Locht (CEO of Standard Liège) is leading the search for a new coach for the Belgian national team. Still, key players Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Romelu Lukaku will have their say in the process.

© BELGA PHOTO Virginie Lefour