Gilles Grimandi

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

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. was born on 11 November 1970 in Gap, Hautes-Alpes. Grimandi scored six goals in all competitions for Arsenal during his time at the club, including a burst of three goals in three games in December 1999.

Grimandi signed with the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer on 8 January 2003, after turning down an offer from Middlesbrough. 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.

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. 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. However, no appointment to the role was made.

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

Career statistics

Honours Monaco Division 1: 1996–97

Arsenal Premier League: 1997–98, 2001–02 FA Cup: 1997–98; runner-up: 2000–01 FA Charity Shield: 1998, 1999 UEFA Cup runner-up: 1999–2000