Antonio Chimenti
Antonio Chimenti
Antonio Chimenti (born June 30, 1970) is a retired Italian professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Following his career as a player, he took on the role of goalkeeping coach, currently working with the Uzbekistan national football team.
Early Career
Chimenti began his football journey in the youth academy of S.S. Sambenedettese Calcio. He was promoted to the first team in 1988, participating in the Serie C1 and later Serie C2 leagues. During the 1990-1991 season, he was loaned to Tempio, where he secured the position of starting goalkeeper and made 35 appearances.
Professional Career
Salernitana Calcio
In 1993, Chimenti was permanently transferred to Salernitana Calcio. His initial season was notable as he played 27 times, contributing to the team's promotion from Serie C1 to Serie B. Over the next three seasons, Chimenti continued as a key player, amassing a total of 110 appearances for Salernitana in Serie B.
Return to Serie A
Chimenti's consistent performances caught the attention of Serie A clubs, leading to his signing with several top-tier teams.
Juventus
Chimenti's most notable tenure was with Juventus, where he served as a reliable backup goalkeeper. During his time at Juventus, he worked with legendary players such as Gianluigi Buffon and Alessandro Del Piero.
Coaching Career
After retiring from professional play, Chimenti transitioned into coaching, applying his expertise as a goalkeeping coach. His current appointment is with the Uzbekistan national team, where he contributes to the development of emerging goalkeepers.
Personal Life
Antonio comes from a family with sporting ties, notably sharing his surname with other notable people such as Jeff Chimenti, an American musician, though they are not directly related.