Belgium 'do not want Thierry Henry to succeed Roberto Martinez as head coach'

Belgium are reportedly not interested in making Thierry Henry their new head coach, despite the Arsenal legend being endorsed by current members of the national squad.

The Belgian FA are currently looking at the candidates to take over from Roberto Martinez and will decide who to approach on Friday, according to Nieuwsblad.

The Red Devils have been desperately seeking a new manager following the departure of Martinez - who has just been announced as the new Portugal boss.

Martinez stepped down following Belgium's disappointing World Cup campaign in Qatar - where the Red Devils failed to even qualify.

Henry, who enjoyed two spells  as assistant coach, was reportedly keen on the promotion and was even willing to take a lower salary than Martinez's £2.65m deal.

But the feeling is not mutual and Belgium are more interested in someone like Saudi Arabia boss Herve Renard.

The 54-year-old led his side to a historic 2-1 defeat over Argentina at the World Cup before being knocked out in the group stages and he is reportedly among the applicants for the Belgium job.

Renard, who has been in charge of the Gulf state for three years, is still contracted to Saudi Arabia but it's understood he can get out of it.

It comes despite the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Toby Alderweireld calling for Henry to fill Martinez's role.

Lukaku, who is capped 104 times for his country, told Sky Italia: 'For me Henry is the next coach of Belgium. There are no doubts. I say it openly: he will be the next coach.'

The 29-year-old ex-Man United striker added that Henry 'has the respect of all the players' and 'has won everything'.

'He knows how to coach, he knows what we have to do to get there. He knows the team, the league, the staff...For me he is the ideal coach for our national team,' Lukaku added.

Meanwhile, Alderweireld, speaking on TV programme Peace on Earth, said: 'Thierry Henry has won everything you can win in his career. In addition, Henry knows the team, which is important.

'I understand that rejuvenation is needed, but you also have to know where we come from. Henry would be the ultimate solution in that regard.'

Michel Preud'homme has also been linked with landing the role as national coach and technical director - which Martinez was.

But it's understood the 64-year-old former Red Devil would prefer the head coach role.