Gilles Grimandi
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| Gilles Grimandi | ||
 |
||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 11 November 1970 | |
| Place of birth | Gap, Hautes-Alpes, France | |
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | |
| Playing position | Defender | |
| Youth career | ||
| 1987 - 1988 | Gap FC | |
| Senior career1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 1988 - 1991 1991 - 1997 1997–2002 2003 |
Gap FC AS Monaco Arsenal Colorado Rapids |
90 (3) 114 (4) 0 (0) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
||
Gilles Grimandi (born 11 November 1970 in Gap, France) is a former French footballer. He is currently a scout for Arsenal.
[edit] Club career
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.
The following season, Grimandi left to join his former manager Arsène Wenger at Arsenal, 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.
Grimandi signed with the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer in 2003, but left after one pre-season match, effectively retiring.
[edit] Later career
Grimandi has remained active in the sport, 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 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 director of football position at Arsenal in July 2007, in charge of acquiring new players.[1] However, no appointment to the role was made. Grimandi is currently Arsenal's chief scout in France.[2]
