José Cobos
Encyclopedia
José Javier Cobos Castillo (born 23 April 1968 in Strasbourg
), known as Cobos, is a retired French
footballer who played as a left defender.
, helping it return to Ligue 1
in 1992 – he had already played in the top flight in the 1988–89 season, his official debut coming on 30 July 1988, in a 0–1 loss at Montpellier HSC
.
Afterwards, Cobos spent three 1/2 years with Paris Saint-Germain FC, helping with 14 matches as the capital
outfit won the league, and being a more important first-team unit in the next year, as it conquered the domestic cup
; additionally, in the latter, he played in all the matches as the club reached the last-four in the UEFA Champions League
.
Late into 1996, Cobos moved to the land of his ancestors, signing with Spain
's RCD Espanyol
, and being a first-team regular during his stay. Aged 30, he returned to his country, playing one year with Toulouse FC
, then moving to OGC Nice
, which he helped promote to level one in his third season, aged 34, appearing in 10 matches – ironically, he would appear significantly more in the following three seasons, with the Côte d'Azur
side always maintaining its division status.
After retiring, with French first division totals of 235 games and 13 goals (plus 165 and five in the second level
), Cobos continued to work with his last club, serving a two-year spell as assistant coach. In January 2009, two years after leaving Nice, he joined AS Monaco FC
as its director of football
, but only lasted three months in office.
, was also a footballer and a defender. He too played mainly for Strasbourg (nine professional seasons), and the siblings shared teams from 1988–91.
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
), known as Cobos, is a retired French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
footballer who played as a left defender.
Football career
Cobos started playing professionally with hometown club RC StrasbourgRC Strasbourg
Racing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
, helping it return to Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
in 1992 – he had already played in the top flight in the 1988–89 season, his official debut coming on 30 July 1988, in a 0–1 loss at Montpellier HSC
Montpellier HSC
Montpellier Hérault Sport Club is a French association football club based in the city of Montpellier. The club was founded in 1919 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Montpellier plays its home matches at the Stade de la Mosson, located within the city...
.
Afterwards, Cobos spent three 1/2 years with Paris Saint-Germain FC, helping with 14 matches as the capital
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
outfit won the league, and being a more important first-team unit in the next year, as it conquered the domestic cup
Coupe de France
The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
; additionally, in the latter, he played in all the matches as the club reached the last-four in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
.
Late into 1996, Cobos moved to the land of his ancestors, signing with Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
's RCD Espanyol
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
, and being a first-team regular during his stay. Aged 30, he returned to his country, playing one year with Toulouse FC
Toulouse FC
Toulouse Football Club is a French association football club based in the city of Toulouse. The club was founded in 1970 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Toulouse plays its home matches at the Stadium Municipal located within the city. The first team is managed by...
, then moving to OGC Nice
OGC Nice
Olympique Gymnaste Club Nice Côte d'Azur is a French association football club based in Nice. The club was founded in 1904 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top-tier of French football. Nice plays its home matches at the Stade Municipal du Ray located within the city. In 2013, the club is...
, which he helped promote to level one in his third season, aged 34, appearing in 10 matches – ironically, he would appear significantly more in the following three seasons, with the Côte d'Azur
French Riviera
The Côte d'Azur, pronounced , often known in English as the French Riviera , is the Mediterranean coastline of the southeast corner of France, also including the sovereign state of Monaco...
side always maintaining its division status.
After retiring, with French first division totals of 235 games and 13 goals (plus 165 and five in the second level
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
), Cobos continued to work with his last club, serving a two-year spell as assistant coach. In January 2009, two years after leaving Nice, he joined AS Monaco FC
AS Monaco FC
Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club are a French football club based in Fontvieille, Monaco. The club was founded in 1924 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Louis II located within Fontvieille...
as its director of football
Director of football
"Director of football" is a term describing a senior management figure at a football club, most commonly used in Europe. The exact nature of the role is often unclear and extremely variable and causes much debate in the sports media...
, but only lasted three months in office.
Personal
Cobos' older brother, VincentVincent Cobos
Vincent Cobos is a retired French footballer who played as a defender.-Football career:For nine seasons, Cobos played professionally with hometown side RC Strasbourg, including two as captain, and made 227 league appearances, achieving Ligue 1 promotion in 1987–88, as champions.He retired from...
, was also a footballer and a defender. He too played mainly for Strasbourg (nine professional seasons), and the siblings shared teams from 1988–91.