Patrick Vieira is doing a great job with New York City FC, leading the team to the top of the MLS standings so far in the 2018 season. Vieira’s success with NYCFC has now caught the attention of English side Arsenal, who see the 41-year old as an ideal replacement for the departing Arsene Wenger.
It turns out that Vieira, who played for Arsenal from 1996 to 2005, also thinks that it might be time to continue his coaching career in Europe.
“It’s an honour to be mentioned with Arsenal,” Vieira said. “It was somewhere I spent nine years and I love the club. I played my best football there and made my name in the game. I am always going to have a deeper relationship with Arsenal. That [alone] is not enough to coach that team, but I’m ready to coach any side in Europe.”
Since being appointed as NYCFC’s coach in 2016, Patrick Vieira has managed to improve the team’s record in each season. After finishing 14th in 2015, NYCFC climbed to 4th in Vieira’s first season in 2016 and then finished 2nd in 2017.
Despite feeling ready to coach in Europe, Vieira isn’t sure whether he would be ready to leave MLS in the middle of the season.
“If the call came, it would be really difficult,” – he said. “It would be difficult because we will be in the middle of the season. And, like every time I’ve been approached by any teams, I’m sitting with the guys from the [City Football Group] and will let them know. They will make the decision because I’m under contract.“
Reportedly, Patrick Vieira is a bit of a longshot to get the Arsenal job, with the team considering more experienced candidates like Luis Enrique, Massimiliano Allegri, and Leonardo Jardim.
