World Cup winning former France International Christian Karembeu has left his role at Portsmouth to join Arsenal’s ever expanding scouting network.
The 38-year-old who also won the European Championships and Confederations Cup in a 10 year international career played for FC Nantes, Sampdoria, Real Madrid, Olympiakos, Servette and Bastia is controversial career. Sandwiched between that, Christian spent a single season with Middlesbrough where he played 33 times, scoring 4 goals.
Noted for his dreadlocks and combative playing style, Karembeu was awarded with the prestigious Légion d’honneur in 1998 – an award similar to an OBE in England. His career continued to grow after retiring from the game in 2005 despite being accused of beating his super-model wife Adriana Sklenaříková – something both parties denied. He has worked for both FIFA and UEFA and previously took part in draws for the Champions League and World Cup.
However, a move to Portsmouth in a scouting capacity followed where he focused mainly on young players in France. Although being named the FIFA Ambassador for Oceania, he continued his work with Pompey until Arsenal offered him the chance to combine the two roles by scouting such Oceania countries as Australia and New Zealand.
Karembeu will take up his role immediately.
Article By – J.Sanderson
I find this piece interesting as an Aussie. Great article. Australia’s A-League continues to develop and flourish. One team got to the final of the Asian Champion’s League last year, and talent like (previously) Dwight Yorke and currently Robbie Fowler are playing here, which is a great exposure for our younger players.
I’m sure there’d be no complaints if Karembeau unearthed the next Tim Cahill for Arsenal.
Maybe he’ll get a game or 2….
i was at the EMIRATES CUP with my son. Two rows in front of me was KAREMBU watching the games (PSG V Athltico Madrid and Arsenal v Rangers) KAREMBU at half time was happy to have a pic taken with my son. This must give validity to the story.
Australia are in the Asian Confederation, not Oceania.
Gilles Grimandi is a very good scout, because not can he recognise a good player but also because France has a lot of very good players.
Karembeu may not encounter the same pool of talent in Oceania. Also he does not spend his entire life over there. Spending a couple of weeks over there once in a while is not the same than living over there.
The same applied to Danny Karabassion who could not find good enough players in the USA for Arsenal.
Best of luck to Christian as he has done well for us , 6 players in our 1st eam are french speaking PUP
Aiden, geographically Ausralia is in Oceania is it not? I’d imagine he’ll be scouting according to geographic boundries not which confederation a country is part of.
Valentin: That’s because there are no good American players. Hope of a nation, Jozy Altidore had to go to freaking Hull, he’s that good!
Umm Australia is in the Asian Confederation.
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maybe he could find the missing belgian defender and the missing 40 million pounds why he is at it
australia suck at everything especially soccer which they need to learn.
australia suck
@Valentin, you will be eating your words in the future. Obviously David Moyes seems to think differently.
There are some very good American players. But there is a level of difference between very good and Arsenal quality. Michael Bradley and Landon Donovan would be good enough to start for at least half of the teams in the Premiership, but they are not Arsenal quality. Bradley and Aaron Ramsey are similar players, but Bradley is currently far superior. But I would be shocked if Ramsey did not surpass him within two years. And Stuart Holden would also start for quite a few teams and could have a great deal of potential. Altidore is not yet one of the best American players.
Hes scouting the Oceania region not the confederation! The 2 do differ.
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just because it’sin the asian confederation won’t stop him scouting there as it makes geographical sense
Ha just because its part of the asian football confederation now doesn’t mean it isn’t part of the oceania continent you clown its not suddenly changed location has it?
If he is scouting Australia i hope he has a good look at Kofi Danning of Sydney FC. Perfect Arsenal signing in some ways, quick young player with an eye for goal.
I always hired this guy in football manager, he seemed to have really good stats.
USA have got very good young americans coming through.
Australia as well they got Matthew Spirnavoic worng spelling he plays for FC Nurmeberg hes a brilliant young centre half hes 6ft 4 fulham were after him.
Rhys Williams from boro is also a very talented centre half who now plays for the aussies instead of wales
we want new players not agents.tis shouldn’t have been posted
Thanks
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altidore is actually a very good young forward..he has all the attributes you would want to see in a 19-year old striker expect for the brains coz he chose HULL! FFS, iw ouldnt have minded him at arsenal either…he was that good in the confederations cup
Wilshere is now in the U21 squad. I don’t know why he wasn’t there to start with. Pearce is a clown.
“Noted for his dreadlocks and combative playing style”.. Yeah right! Noted for his really really really fine missus more like..
It’s very nice Thanks for your share and SUCESS FOR YOUR LIFE AND REGARD TO ALL THE BLOGGING IN THE WORLD
I don’t know anything about him as acout. Is he good? Did yousee the Community Shield match? This should be a wild year in the EPL http://bobbygee.wordpress.com/
The Legion_d’honneur is the highest award given by the French so it is nothing like the OBE
Happy to meet with you here, thanks above information, I will always come
The season is about to start. I can’t wait. Celtic and Arsenalin the thrid round qualifying for the Champions league. It should be a barn burner. Do you think the Emirates Cup is an indication of how the final result will turn out. http://bobbygee.wordpress.com/