Years Team Height 1.86 m | Playing position Team Apps Position Goalkeeper | |
Full name Antonio Jiménez Sistachs Date of birth (1970-10-12) 12 October 1970 (age 46) | ||
Antonio Jiménez Sistachs (born 12 October 1970), sometimes known just as Toni, is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper, and the current goalkeeping coach for Tottenham Hotspur.
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He appeared in 236 La Liga games over the course of nine seasons, seven of those spent with Espanyol. He also represented in the competition Rayo Vallecano and Atlético Madrid.
Toni helped Spain win the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Club career
Born in La Garriga, Barcelona, Catalonia, Jiménez had a stint with local giants FC Barcelona's third team to kickstart his senior career. He made his professional debut with neighbours UE Figueres on loan, being backup then first-choice for two Segunda División seasons.
In 1992, Jiménez moved to Rayo Vallecano after terminating his previous contract with Real Zaragoza. Initially a backup to Wilfred Agbonavbare, he benefitted from an injury to the Nigerian in the second round to make his La Liga debut against CD Logroñés, although he finished the campaign on the bench again.
The following year, Jiménez accompanied coach José Antonio Camacho to RCD Espanyol, then in the second level. He was an undisputed starter during his spell at the club, winning the Ricardo Zamora Trophy in his first season, qualifying for the UEFA Cup immediately afterwards and amassing nearly 300 overall official appearances.
Jiménez signed for Atlético Madrid in 1999, being highly unsuccessful there during three years: Barred by José Francisco Molina in his first season, the capital side were also relegated; furthermore, in that year's Copa del Rey final, against former side Espanyol, he was stripped off the ball by former teammate Raúl Tamudo's head, for the final 1–2.
Jiménez again regained first-choice status at Elche CF, but returned to the top flight and Espanyol in January 2003, when new boss Javier Clemente requested his signing. At the end of the following campaign he retired from the game, at almost 34; he stayed connected with the club in directorial capacities, leaving in March 2006 when director of football Cristóbal Parralo also resigned.
Jiménez served his first coaching spell also in Catalonia, as assistant in Girona FC. In May 2009 he returned to the club as goalkeeper's coach and, two years later, signed with main club Espanyol as assistant to Mauricio Pochettino; the pair linked up again in January 2013, after the latter was appointed at Southampton.
In late May 2014, both Pochettino and Jiménez signed for another club in the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur.
International career
Jiménez had not yet played top level football when he was summoned by coach Vicente Miera to the 1992 Summer Olympics, in local Barcelona. He beat competition from Santiago Cañizares, until then the starter, and played all the matches and minutes en route to the gold medal.
Jiménez gained three additional caps for the full squad during one year, his first one being offered by Camacho, a friendly with Italy on 18 November 1998 (2–2, in Salerno). He seemed poised to be called as third-choice for UEFA Euro 2000, but 19-year-old Iker Casillas was chosen instead.