Gilles Grimandi

Football player infobox
playername= Gilles Grimandi


fullname =
height = height|metres=1.80
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1970|11|11
cityofbirth = Gap, Hautes-Alpes
countryofbirth = France
dateofdeath =
cityofdeath =
countryofdeath =
position = Defender
years = 1990-1997 1997-2002 2003
clubs = AS Monaco Arsenal F.C. Colorado Rapids
caps(goals) = 090 (3) 084 (1) 00 (0)

Gilles Grimandi (born November 11 1970 in Gap, France) is a former French footballer. He is currently a scout for Arsenal F.C..

Club career

Monaco

Grimandi began his professional career with AS Monaco in 1990 and made his first-team debut in 1991 against AS Nancy in the French top division. His career briefly interrupted by French military service, he went on to make ninety 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.

Arsenal

The following season, Grimandi left to join his former manager Arsène Wenger at Arsenal F.C., making his debut at Leeds United, and helped achieve The Double in his first season. He made 84 league appearances as a midfielder, centre back, and right wingback, winning a second Double in his final season (2001-02) with the club and becoming a fan favourite.

Colorado Rapids

Grimandi signed with the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer in 2003, but left after one pre-season match, effectively retiring.

Later career

He has remained active in the sport, however, taking his first administrative position in 2004 as football director at ASOA Valence in the Championnats National (the French third division), and becoming a France-based scout for Arsenal F.C. after Valence filed for bankruptcy prior to the 2005-06 season. He also took part in Dennis Bergkamp's testimonial game at Arsenal's new Emirates Stadium in July 2006.

Grimandi was linked with a full return to Arsenal in July 2007, with him becoming director of football, in charge of acquiring new players. [cite news|url=http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/06/25/wenger_turns_to_grimandi_as_he.html|title=Wenger turns to Grimandi as he ushers in new era|date=2007-06-25|accessdate=2007-07-15|publisher=The Guardian] However, as of 14 October 2007 no appointment to the role has been made, although he is the club's Chief Scout in France. [cite web | url=http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=News&article=477261&lid=NewsHeadline&Title=Wenger+-+My+delay+over+Director+of+Football | title=Wenger - My delay over Director of Football | work=Arsenal.com ] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/6942867.stm Wenger needs support - Grimandi] , BBC Sport, 2007-08-12. Retrieved on 2007-08-15.]

References

External links

* [http://www.icons.com/grimandi/?playerbyclub=%2Fgrimandi%2F Gilles Grimandi Official Personal Website] at icons.com