New York City have appointed Patrick Vieira as the club’s new head coach, reports ESPN.
The French World Cup winner will leave his position as manager of Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad to start his new role on January 1 2016 after putting pen-to-paper on a three-year contract with the new MLS franchise. New York City sacked Jason Kreis last week after he could only guide the club to an eighth-place finish in the Eastern Conference in their debut season in the Major League Soccer.
Vieira has been a part of the backroom staff, firstly as a Football Development Executive before being put in charge of the reserves, at the Etihad Stadium since retiring as a player. He was linked with the vacant manager’s job at Newcastle United in the summer, but instead they went for ex-England manager Steve McClaren, as the hierarchy at New York City believe they have pulled off a coup in hiring the Frenchman as their new head coach as president Tom Glick said:
“The open position of head coach has prompted significant interest and I have no doubt that in Patrick, we have one of the most impressive young coaches I have encountered.
“Patrick’s ability, vision and the respect in which he is held by everyone who works with him, speaks volumes for his character and capacity to succeed. I am excited to work with him and I know the energy he will bring to the role will have a hugely positive impact across the club.”
This is Vieira’s first managerial job and he was excited at the prospect of managing NYCFC as he told the club’s official website:
“I am delighted to take up the role. To work with this squad is an exciting prospect for any coach.
“This established football set-up, together with a passionate and loyal fanbase, located in a special city which I know well, makes for an unparalleled opportunity that I am delighted to seize with both hands. I cannot wait to get started.”
A midfielder in playing days, Vieira won the Premier League three times and the FA Cup four times with Arsenal as well as the World Cup with France in 1998 and Euro 2000 during a career that saw him earn 107 caps. He later had spells at Juventus and Inter Milan, where he won four Serie A titles during his stay in Italy, before returning to England with City and helping them to the 2011 FA Cup before calling time on his career.
