Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has previously coached New York City, Nice and Crystal Palace at first-team level and will continue his managerial career in France.
Patrick Vieira has been appointed by French side Strasbourg – four months after he was sacked by Crystal Palace.
The Arsenal icon, 47, has signed a three-year contract with Strasbourg, who finished 15th in Ligue 1 last season. The news comes just over a week after Chelsea’s owners agreed a deal to buy a majority stake in Strasbourg as part of a multi-club ownership model.
Vieira, who was dismissed by Palace in March after a 12-game winless run, succeeds Frederic Antonetti at Strasbourg. Antonetti helped Strasbourg avoid relegation by five points last term but agreed to step down from his position after Chelsea’s investment.
Vieira is an experienced manager after spells in charge of Major League Soccer (MLS) team New York City and Ligue 1 outfit Nice, as well as Palace. He is used to working for a multi-club group, as New York City are run by Manchester City’s owners.
“I am particularly happy to join Racing,” said Vieira. “I know the history and the identity of this club, the fervour it arouses, the importance it has for its region, which is a place of football and passion.
“The rebuilding of the club in recent years, under the direction of Marc Keller [Strasbourg’s president], is an example to be admired. Working with him is a real pleasure for me. Today, a new cycle begins for Racing and it is exciting as a coach to be able to build something while relying on the values that have defined the strength of the club.”
Palace were 12th in the Premier League – but only three points above the relegation zone – when Vieira was sacked. The club’s chair Steve Parish said the “difficult decision” was “with enormous regret”, yet it proved to be the right call.
Former Palace manager Roy Hogdson, who turns 76 next month, returned to Selhurst Park and won his first three games in charge to ease any relegation fears. Hogdson will continue as Palace manager heading into the new Premier League campaign.
Vieira is best known for his achievements as a player. The Frenchman made more than 650 club appearances for Cannes, AC Milan, Arsenal, Juventus, Inter Milan and Man City. He won countless honours during that time, including three Premier League titles.
Vieira also achieved plenty for France. The 107-cap international won the World Cup in 1998, the Euros in 2000 and the Confederations Cup in 2001. He also helped his country reach the final of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, but they lost on penalties to Italy.
Keller added: “I welcome Patrick Vieira, whom I know from the French national team; I am very happy to welcome him to Strasbourg. Patrick’s arrival should allow us to make further progress and to take a step forward.
“He corresponds to the profile we were looking for: a manager with international experience, and who also has a good knowledge of Ligue 1 and its young players. We are convinced that he will be able to do a very good job here, in a healthy and fulfilling environment. We are going to put him in the best conditions so that he can succeed.”