Patrick Vieira: Former Arsenal captain appointed Nice manager after leaving New York City
Last updated on .From the section European Football
Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has been appointed as the new manager of French Ligue 1 side Nice.
The ex-Manchester City, Inter Milan and Juventus midfielder was in his third season as head coach of New York City.
The 41-year-old had been tipped to replace Arsene Wenger at Arsenal before the appointment of Unai Emery.
"Leaving New York is an incredibly difficult decision for me and my family and one that has not been taken lightly," said Vieira.
Nice finished eighth in Ligue 1 last season, missing out on a Europa League place by one point.
Vieira takes over from Lucien Favre, who was appointed Borussia Dortmund coach in May.
Assistant coach Christian Lattanzio, performance coach Kristian Wilson and physical performance coach Matt Cook have also left New York to join Vieira at Nice.
Manchester City's assistant manager Domenec Torrent has left the Premier League champions to replace Vieira at the New York club, after 11 years spent working with Pep Guardiola.
World Cup winner Vieira retired at Manchester City aged 35 in 2011 and was named a football development executive at the Etihad.
In 2015, Vieira left his role as head coach of Manchester City's Under-21s after signing a three-year contract with New York City.
The Major League Soccer side are part of the City Football Group founded by Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour.
'Arsenal link was good for my ego'
When Wenger announced his departure after 22 years in charge, Vieira was linked with the Arsenal role along with the likes of Luis Enrique, Carlo Ancelotti, Joachim Low, Brendan Rodgers and Leonardo Jardim.
At the time, Vieira said he was "flattered" but "happy" as New York coach.
"I am always flattered to hear my name linked with different football clubs. That is good for your ego but at the same time, I am happy here," Vieira told New York radio station WNYE in April.
"We will see what will happen in the next couple of years.
"I spent nine years at Arsenal which makes the club really special for me. But that is not enough to coach the team."
Can a successful player become a successful manager?
During his playing career, Vieira won four FA Cups and eight league titles.
He won six major honours at Arsenal between 1996-2005 before helping Juventus finish top of Serie A in 2006, although they were later stripped of the title.
However, he then helped Inter Milan win four straight Italian titles from 2007-2010 before joining Manchester City in January 2010, helping them win the 2011 FA Cup.
His 107 caps for France include winning the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
Vieira began his coaching career in impressive fashion, guiding New York to back-to-back play-off appearances in his first two seasons.
He leaves with New York in second place in the MLS' Eastern Conference after winning eight of their 15 games.
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If he wants the Arsenal job in the long-term - or perhaps succeed Allegri at Juve or Pep at City - then he's building his coaching career well. Top player and seems a solid bloke, so good luck to him.
Man Utd aren't the team they used to be.
In other news, Vieira was a beast of a player, good luck to him.
Keane never got to grips with him, couldn't handle a player who never backed down to him.
Don't forget, Alex Ferguson was the unofficial Chairman of the Referee's Association during that era and Keane and his teammates got away with absolute murder.
I'd take Vieira every time.
"Can't help but feel that Vieira would have much more successful if he signed for Tottenham in 1996 and not Arsenal."
Reality and you are forever to remain strangers, much like Spurs and success.
You’re not a Man Utd supporter, in fact I’d wager you’re nothing but a troll that supports one our rivals & are just trying to make us all look like idiots. Well it’s not working petal, the only person you’re making look an idiot is yourself.
'Aresinil school of management"...
How clever...must be a bitter spudling or a Jose fan boy;)
'Managing at MLS level does not qualify Viera to manage Nice.'
You could well be right, but so many players with little or no management experience have been taken on at established clubs. At least Vieira has done a few years at youth level at city and management in US. He hasn't gone straight off the high-board. I'd say he's done it the right way and looks a good sort