Watford legend Gibbs leaves Spurs to take job in Greece
Former Watford defender and coach Nigel Gibbs has taken a new job as assistant manager at Greek side Asteras Tripolis.
The 58-year-old was offered the role by former France and Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele, who became manager of the Tripoli-based club last week.
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Gibbs and Makelele worked together at Swansea City a few seasons ago.
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind week,” admitted Gibbs, who was Senior Academy Coach at Tottenham seven days ago.
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“I got the offer last Monday, said yes on Tuesday, left Spurs on Wednesday and got a flight out to Greece on Friday!
“I’m starting work today. It’s a really exciting challenge.”
St Albans-born Gibbs spent his entire playing career at Vicarage Road, amassing 491 appearances including in both the old First Division and the Premier League.
An extremely popular figure with Watford fans, Gibbs made his debut for the club in a UEFA Cup tie and would surely have clocked up far more outings for the club but for injuries.
Away from Vicarage Road, Gibbs has had coaching roles at Spurs, Reading, Leeds United and Millwall, and also worked as assistant coach at Belgian side Cercle Brugge.
Asteras have been in the Greece’s top division, the Super League, since the 2007/08 season and they finished eighth last season.
They were runners-up in the Greek Super Cup in 2013 and finished third in the league two years later.
The club has played in the Europa League five teams, their best performance coming when they reached the group stage in 2014/15, playing against Tottenham, Besiktas and Partizan.
They are currently ninth this season, with four points from four games, and Gibbs’ first game will be this Saturday (September 21) when they visit Panetolikos.
His first big home game at the Theodoros Kolokotronis Stadium will be on October 27, when Olimpiacos are the visitors.
