José Arribas
The Spanish manager who brought his 'jeu à la nantaise' philosophy to Marseille before ending his coaching career at Lille.
José Arribas was a Spanish professional football player and manager. As a player, he was a midfielder. He most notably coached Nantes from 1960 to 1976, where he created the "jeu à la nantaise", a tactic based on speed, technique, intelligence and one touch play. He also co-coached the France national team alongside Jean Snella before the 1966 FIFA World Cup. He ended his coaching career at Lille, after a brief stint at Marseille from 1976 to 1977.
- Nationality
- Spanish
- Position
- midfielder
Lore & Background
Arribas left Nantes in 1976 after winning three Division 1 titles (1965, 1966, 1973) and creating the famous "jeu à la nantaise" style. He then coached Marseille from 1976 to 1977 before moving to Lille, where he managed from 1977 to 1982, ending his coaching career there.
Reader's Guide
José Arribas is best known for his 16-year spell at Nantes (1960–1976), where he built a team around speed, technique, intelligence, and one-touch play — the "jeu à la nantaise." He won Division 1 titles in 1964–65, 1965–66, and 1972–73. After leaving Nantes in 1976, he ended his coaching career at Marseille and Lille.
Did You Know?
- José Arribas left Spain for France at age 14 because of the Spanish Civil War.
- He created the "jeu à la nantaise" tactic at Nantes, based on speed, technique, intelligence and one touch play.
- He co-coached the France national team for four matches alongside Jean Snella before the 1966 FIFA World Cup.
- His son Claude was also a footballer, and Arribas coached him at Nantes.
- Arribas won three Division 1 titles with Nantes: 1964–65, 1965–66, and 1972–73.
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