The lowdown on Patrick Vieira – as French football legend set to take up Crystal Palace post
Crystal Palace are set to appoint Patrick Vieira as their new head coach.
The 45-year-old, who has been working as a pundit for ITV during EURO 2020, has been out of work since leaving Nice in December.
With his work permit process already in motion, Vieira is expected to take the first day of pre-season training on Monday July 5.
WHAT IS VIEIRA’S MANAGERIAL HISTORY?
The former France international’s playing career was illustrious. He amassed more than 100 caps for Les Blues, lifting the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship.
In club football, Vieira won three Premier League titles and captained Arsenal’s Invincibles during the 2003-04 campaign. He lifted the Champions League with Inter Milan and won five Serie A titles during his time in Italy.
When his playing career came to an end at Manchester City in 2011, Vieira took up a role with the club’s academy, overseeing youth development before becoming reserve manager.
His first job in the professional game came at New York City FC. Taking over a side that finished 17th the season before, Vieira guided the club to fourth in his first campaign and finished as MLS Eastern Conference runners-up the season after.
His next venture was to Ligue 1.
Despite qualifying for the Europa League in his second season in charge of OGC Nice, his third season capitulated at the halfway stage. Following five defeats on the bounce and elimination from Europe, Vieira was sacked in December – leaving the club 11th in the table.
HOW DID PALACE LAND ON VIEIRA?
Vieira’s appointment ends Palace’s seven-week managerial hunt.
The Eagles had been close to appointing new Tottenham Hotspur boss, Nuno Espirito Santo, following his surprise departure from Wolves. However, as the deal came closer to completion, the Portuguese manager made a fresh set of demands that drew negotiations to a close.
Lucien Favre was the next manager who nearly became Roy Hodgson’s replacement – Palace had even started the process of applying for the 63-year-old’s work permit. After a late change of heart from the Swiss manager, and despite attempts from the club to change his mind, Favre decided he needed a longer break from football.
Our paper reported on Saturday that Frank Lampard was back under consideration for the job, but any potential deal was off due to the ex-Chelsea manager’s frustration at being overlooked the first time around.
Palace revived their interest in Vieira – who was on the original shortlist to replace Hodgson – at the start of the week.
WHAT ARE VIEIRA’S FIRST TASKS?
With the contracts of 11 first team players ending today (Thursday), Vieira must quickly decide which players he would be keen on keeping for his rebuild.
While Mamadou Sakho, Patrick van Aanholt, Scott Dann, Connor Wickham and Wayne Hennessey are all expected to leave Selhurst Park, there are still the futures of Andros Townsend, Gary Cahill, Nathaniel Clyne and Joel Ward to resolve.
Vieira will also have to convince Wilfried Zaha that staying with the South Londoners is the right move for his career, as the 28-year-old has once again signalled his intent to leave Palace in search of trophies.
Vieira’s first game in charge will be a pre-season friendly against League One side Portsmouth at St. George’s Park on July 16.
