 Toni in 2006 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Antonio Jiménez Sistachs | ||
| Date of birth | (1970-10-12)12 October 1970 (age 55) | ||
| Place of birth | La Garriga, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Olímpic Garriga | |||
| Granollers | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1988–1989 | Granollers | ||
| 1989–1991 | Barcelona C | ||
| 1991–1992 | Barcelona | 0 | (0) |
| 1991–1992 | →Figueres (loan) | 39 | (0) |
| 1992–1993 | Rayo Vallecano | 13 | (0) |
| 1993–1999 | Espanyol | 221 | (0) |
| 1999–2002 | Atlético Madrid | 43 | (0) |
| 2002–2003 | Elche | 18 | (0) |
| 2003–2004 | Espanyol | 29 | (0) |
| Total | 363 | (0) | |
| International career | |||
| 1992 | Spain U21 | 1 | (0) |
| 1992 | Spain U23 | 8 | (0) |
| 1998–1999 | Spain | 3 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
| Olympic medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
Representing Spain | ||
| Men'sFootball | ||
 | 1992 Barcelona | Team Competition |
Antonio "Toni" Jiménez Sistachs (Spanish pronunciation:[anˈtonjoxiˈmeneθ]; born 12 October 1970) is a Spanish former professionalfootballer who played as agoalkeeper, currently a goalkeeping coach.
He appeared in 236La Liga matches over nine seasons, seven of those spent withEspanyol.[1] He also represented in the competitionRayo Vallecano andAtlético Madrid.
Jiménez helpedSpain to win the gold medal at the1992 Summer Olympics. He played three times with thefull side later that decade.
Born inLa Garriga,Barcelona,Catalonia, Jiménez had a stint with local giantsFC Barcelona'sthird team to kickstart his senior career. He made his professional debut with neighboursUE Figueres on loan,[2] being backup then first choice for twoSegunda División seasons.
In 1992, Jiménez moved toRayo Vallecano after terminating his previous contract withReal Zaragoza.[3] Initially a backup toWilfred Agbonavbare, he benefitted from an injury to theNigerian in the second round to make hisLa Liga debut againstCD Logroñés, although he finishedthe campaign on the bench again.
The following year, Jiménez accompanied coachJosé Antonio Camacho toRCD Espanyol, then in the second tier. He was an undisputed starter during his six-year spell, winning theRicardo Zamora Trophy in hisfirst season,qualifying for theUEFA Cupimmediately afterwards and making nearly 300 competitive appearances.[1]
Jiménez signed forAtlético Madrid in summer 1999, being highly unsuccessful there. Barred byJosé Francisco Molina in hisfirst year, the team from thecapital were also relegated. Furthermore, inthe final of theCopa del Rey against former side Espanyol, he was stripped off the ball by former teammateRaúl Tamudo's head for the final 2–1.[4][5]
Jiménez regained first-choice status atElche CF,[6] but returned to the top flight and Espanyol in January 2003 when new bossJavier Clemente requested his signing.[7] At the end ofthe following campaign, he retired from the game at almost 34; he stayed connected with the latter in directorial capacities, leaving in March 2006 whendirector of footballCristóbal Parralo also resigned.[8]
Jiménez served his first coaching spell also in Catalonia, as assistant inGirona FC. In May 2009 he returned to the club as goalkeeper coach and, two years later, signed with Espanyol as assistant toMauricio Pochettino;[9] the pair linked up again in January 2013, after the latter was appointed atSouthampton.[10]
In late May 2014, both Pochettino and Jiménez signed for another team in thePremier League,Tottenham Hotspur.[11] After two years in the FrenchLigue 1 withParis Saint-Germain FC,[12] they returned to the English top flight in May 2023 by joiningChelsea.[13][14]
Jiménez had not yet played top-division football when he was selected by coachVicente Miera to the1992 Summer Olympics, in localBarcelona. He beat competition fromSantiago Cañizares, until then the starter, and played all the matches and minutesen route tothe gold medal.[15]
Additionally, Jiménez won threecaps for thefull side over one year, his first one being offered by Camacho, afriendly withItaly on 18 November 1998 (2–2, inSalerno).[16] He seemed poised to be called as third choice forUEFA Euro 2000, but 19-year-oldIker Casillas was chosen instead.[17]
Jiménez reunited again with Pochettino in October 2024, following the latter's appointment at theUnited States national team the previous month.[18]
Espanyol
Atlético Madrid
Spain U23
Individual
