Former Argentina international and Manchester United defender, Gabriel Heinze, has been appointed as a first-team coach at Arsenal, the Premier League club officially announced on Tuesday. The 47-year-old joins Mikel Arteta's backroom staff, filling the position recently vacated by Carlos Cuesta, who departed to manage Serie A side Parma.
The move sees Heinze reunite with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, with whom he was a teammate at Paris Saint-Germain during the 2001-2002 season. The club has expressed its excitement at the addition of Heinze, citing his extensive playing and coaching experience as a valuable asset to the team.
In a statement, the club said, "We are delighted to announce the appointment of Gabriel Heinze to our coaching staff as men's First Team Coach. Heinze, a former Argentina international, brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to the club."
Heinze, known for his tenacious and versatile defending during his playing days, has built a solid coaching reputation in his native Argentina. His managerial career includes stints at Godoy Cruz, Argentinos Juniors, and Vélez Sarsfield. His most recent role was with Newell's Old Boys, which he left in November 2023.
The appointment is seen as a strategic move by Arsenal to strengthen their coaching setup as they prepare for the upcoming season. Heinze will work alongside Arteta and the existing coaching team, which includes assistant coach Albert Stuivenberg and set-piece specialist Nicolas Jover.
Heinze's playing career saw him represent some of Europe's top clubs, including Real Madrid, Marseille, and a successful spell at Manchester United, where he won a Premier League title. He also earned over 70 caps for the Argentine national team.
