Arsenal have appointed former Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze as their new assistant manager.
The Gunners lost Carlos Cuesta earlier this summer. The Spaniard left North London to become the manager of Parma in Serie A.
Cuesta was a key member of Mikel Arteta’s coaching staff at Arsenal, so it was clear that the North Londoners would replace him.
Arsenal fans wanted Santi Cazorla to return to the club in a coaching capacity, but the decision has been made to appoint Heinze instead.
The Argentine has some history with Arsenal’s opponents on the first day of the new Premier League season, Manchester United.
Roy Keane once knocked out new Arsenal assistant manager Gabriel Heinze
Gabriel Heinze joined Manchester United from Paris Saint-Germain and spent three years at the club.
The defender played 83 times under Sir Alex Ferguson, and he did produce a few excellent performances at Old Trafford back in the day.
However, Heinze is not too popular among United fans because he tried to force through a move to Liverpool at one point.
Legendary Manchester United captain Roy Keane had his problems with Heinze too, and the former players once got into a physical altercation behind the scenes.
ESPN have transcribed Heinze’s comments about the incident, which reveal that he was once ‘knocked unconscious’ by Keane.
Heinze said on ESPN Argentina’s “Pura Quimica: “We went to Middlesbrough and we ended up losing 2-1. The team was disastrous. To be honest, I thought I had not played that badly.
“I’m the first one off the pitch when a game ends because I don’t like to talk to anyone. I went straight to the changing room — I was the first in and Roy was next. I didn’t speak much English then.
“I see that he [Keane] is staring at me, and he says ‘f— off.’ I knew that swear word because those are the first things you learn.
“He comes towards me and I tell him ‘f— off you,’ and that is the last thing I remember. I didn’t even have time to swing my arm…”
Gabriel Heinze could get his revenge on Manchester United at Arsenal
Heinze made up with Keane after that incident and shares a good relationship with him.
However, people at Manchester United have their issues with the Argentine for trying to leave them and join Liverpool many years ago.
Heinze has moved on with his life and has achieved great things over the years. However, we’re sure he would love to get one over his former club when he gets the chance.
That opportunity will come soon as Arsenal face Manchester United in the opening game of the season, and Heinze will play a part in Arteta’s tactics for that game.
A win there would not just be a great start to the season for Arsenal, but it will be a source of personal pride as well for the new Gunners assistant coach.
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