Former Manchester United defender, Gabriel Heinze, is set for a surprise return to English football, this time off the pitch, as he prepares to join Arsenal’s coaching team under Mikel Arteta.
The 47-year-old, who featured in 83 matches for Manchester United over three seasons before a 2007 move to Real Madrid, will become part of the backroom setup at the Emirates Stadium.
Heinze has spent the past decade in management with mixed results, most recently overseeing Argentine side Newell’s Old Boys between November 2022 and 2023.
Now, the former Argentina international will work alongside assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg, set-piece specialist Nico Jover, and goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana as part of Arteta’s evolving technical staff.
A seasoned professional, Heinze enjoyed a stellar playing career that saw him turn out for top-tier clubs across England, Spain, and France.
His return to England comes as Arsenal continue to restructure their coaching team following the departure of Carlos Cuesta, who left earlier in the season to become the new head coach at Parma.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Heinze will officially join Arsenal’s coaching staff ahead of the 2025–26 season.
“Gabriel Heinze joining Arsenal as part of coaching staff. Former Argentina international defender being added to group after Carlos Cuesta became Parma head coach. 47yo played alongside #AFC boss Mikel Arteta at PSG,” Ornstein confirmed on X.
Arteta and Heinze share a personal history, having been teammates during their stint at Paris Saint-Germain—an experience that may now be reignited in a new chapter at Arsenal.
