Gilles Grimandi

Gilles Grimandi (born 11 November 1970) is a French former professional footballer who played as a centre back or midfielder.

Gilles Grimandi
Grimandi playing for Arsenal
Personal information
Date of birth (1970-11-11) 11 November 1970[1]
Place of birth Gap, France
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre back, midfielder[2]
Youth career
1987–1988 Gap
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1988–1991 Gap
1991–1997 Monaco 67 (3)
1997–2002 Arsenal 114 (4)
2003 Colorado Rapids 0 (0)
Total 181 (7)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

In his playing career, he went from hometown team Gap to top-flight Monaco before arriving at Arsenal of the Premier League in 1997. He won two league-and-cup doubles with them before leaving in 2002.[3]

Playing career

Born in Gap, Hautes-Alpes, France[4] Grimandi began his professional career with Monaco in 1990 and made his first-team debut in 1991 against AS Nancy in Division 1. His career briefly interrupted by French military service, he went on to make 67 appearances and score three goals for the club, mostly as a centre back. He helped the club reach both a UEFA Champions League and a UEFA Cup semifinal, and won the league title in 1996–97.

The following season, Grimandi left to join his former manager Arsène Wenger at Arsenal, making his debut at Elland Road against Leeds United, and helped achieve The Double in his first season. He made 113 league appearances as a midfielder, centre back, and right wingback, winning a second Double in his final season (2001–02) with the club.[3]

Grimandi signed with the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer on 8 January 2003, after turning down an offer from Middlesbrough.[5] Grimandi was the first Frenchman to sign for MLS, and played a pre-season friendly against Santos Laguna of Mexico on 12 March. On 30 April he quit the club for family reasons to return to France. The Rapids' management described themselves as "deeply saddened" by his decision.[6]

Post-playing career

Grimandi has remained active in the sport, taking his first administrative position in 2004 as football director at ASOA Valence. Valence were playing in the Championnats National, the French third division at the time of his appointment. Grimandi became a French-based scout for Arsenal in 2006.[7] He also took part in Dennis Bergkamp's testimonial game at Arsenal's new Emirates Stadium in July of that year, making a controversial tackle on Edgar Davids as the Dutchman looked to tap into an empty net to open the scoring for Ajax.[3]

Grimandi was linked with a director of football position at Arsenal in July 2007, in charge of acquiring new players.[8] However, no appointment to the role was made.

In March 2019, Grimandi left his position at Arsenal to become technical director at OGC Nice, joining forces with former teammate Patrick Vieira. Grimandi resigned by mutual agreement on 7 October 2019.[9]

Honours

Monaco

Arsenal

References
  1. "Gilles Grimandi". L'Équipe (in French). Paris. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  2. "Gilles Grimandi". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  3. "Gilles Grimandi". Arsenal F.C. Archived from the original on 30 October 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  4. "Gilles Grimandi". Football Database.eu.
  5. Chen, Albert. "Breaking news, real-time scores and daily analysis from Sports Illustrated - SI.com". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  6. "Defender returns to France". Espn Fc. 30 April 2003. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  7. "Grimandi explains Arsenal scouting policy". Sky Sports.com.
  8. Wenger turns to Grimandi as he ushers in new era, The Guardian, 25 June 2007. Retrieved on 15 July 2007
  9. GILLES GRIMANDI LEAVES THE CLUB, ogcnice.com, 7 October 2019
  10. "Gilles Grimandi". Eurosport.com.
  11. "Gilles Grimandi: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  12. Moore, Glenn (18 May 1998). "Football: Gunners train sights on European glory". The Independent. London. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  13. "Owen shatters Arsenal in Cup final". BBC Sport. 12 May 2001. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  14. "Arsenal show no charity at home from home". The Irish Times. Dublin. 10 August 1998. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  15. "Parlour gives Gunners Wembley win". BBC News. 1 August 1999. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  16. "Penalty heartbreak for Arsenal". BBC News. 17 May 2000. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
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