Brisbane Roar fan favourite Henrique has not ruled out returning to his beloved A-League club as part of the coaching staff after confirming his departure as a player.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
The three-time championship winner fought back tears on Monday when he announced in front of teammates and family he had played his last game for the Roar - to draw the curtain on a 168-match stint spanning 10 seasons.
The 33-year-old has been sidelined since he suffered a groin injury in Brisbane's 4-1 loss to Melbourne City on April 5.
He will be honoured with life membership and a half-time tribute at second-last Brisbane's final game of the season against Adelaide at Suncorp Stadium on Anzac Day.
It looms as an emotional match with the encounter to mark the swansong for club legend Matt McKay, who announced his retirement just days ago.
Veteran attacker Henrique said he would assess his playing future once he regained full fitness but confirmed he was keen to pursue coaching.
And he did not rule out joining the Roar staff in the future, even joking that he had his eye on Brisbane's vacant full-time head coach job.
An announcement on who will take the Brisbane reins from interim mentor Darren Davies could be as soon as this week with Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler reportedly the front runner.
Davies has been at the helm since John Aloisi's resignation in late December.
"I leave the club with a bad injury so I will need to get my body right first, and after that I will make a decision," Henrique said.
"I want to be a coach and mentor. I will be doing my coaching certificates now while settling my injuries.
"In the future you never know, I might come back here in a different position."
Roar CEO David Pourre did not rule out Henrique returning as a coach.
"I think there is a great opportunity to be associated with the club in that (A-League) capacity or through our academy (junior pathway) or even in the women's program as well," he said.
"There have been some great players who have been coaches in the past and I think Brisbane can have one of its own eventually coaching this club."
Pourre expected Brisbane to bounce back from their woeful 6-1 loss to Newcastle and provide a fitting tribute to McKay and Henrique on Thursday.
Australian Associated Press
