Crystal Palace has confirmed Patrick Vieira as the club’s new manager for a three-year deal that will lead the Frenchman to Selhurst Park until 2024.
What did Patrick Vieira say?
The Arsenal legend, who previously coached Nice until his dismissal last December, will replace Roy Hodgson in a hot spot in south London. The 45-year-old, who began his coaching career with New York City FC in the Major League Soccer, takes charge for the first time in the Premier League, making his name one of the game’s greatest midfielders during his ten-year period with the Gunners.
Patrick Vieira told the club’s official website on confirmation of his appointment that he is truly delighted to have this opportunity to return to the Premier League and run this great football club as they begin a new chapter together. According to Patrick, this is a really attractive project for him, having had a lot of conversations with the chairman and sports director about their aspirations and plans for the whole club, including the academy.
The club has a fantastic foundation after years in the Premier League and Patrick Vieira hopes they can make further improvements and continue to drive the club forward. Patrick Vieira is also very happy to experience the atmosphere that club supporters create in Selhurst Park and away from home, and he knows how important it can be for the team.
A little about Patrick Vieira
Forever associated with the 1998 World Cup triumph in France on home soil, Patrick is also remembered in the British sports consciousness as an anchor of Arsenal’s superb period of success under Arsene Wenger, spearheaded by the Invincibles era. While he ended his career with a lone season at Man City, where he won the FA Cup in 2011, it’s a Premier League title hat-trick at Highbury with which he made his mark on the English game.
After leading the City reserves after his retirement, he stayed with them until he took over at FC New York City in early 2016, pushing them to consecutive MLS playoff quarterfinals throughout two and a half years at the helm. He was named manager of Nice in the summer of 2018 and finished them seventh in his first season under management, improving to reach fifth in the next campaign, but running out of five straight losses and the club’s exit from the Europa League last December put an end to it. his stay in League 1. Now, a decade since he last played in the Premier League, he will take charge of Palace as they look to develop the stability of the Hodgson era at Selhurst Park.