Patrick Vieira

At 47 years old, Patrick Vieira has this physical status:

Patrick Vieira (born 23 June 1976) is a French professional football head coach and former player.

He is Nice's manager. Vieira, who is widely regarded as one of the best players of his time, began his career at Cannes in 1994, where several outstanding performances in his debut season earned him a move to Milan a year later.

His single season in Italy was marred due to a lack of playing time, and he played mainly for the reserve team.

In 1996, he was able to relocate to England in order to join countryman Arsène Wenger at Arsenal for £3.5 million. Vieira renowned for his offensive and highly competitive style of play during his nine-year career in the Premier League, an attitude that also helped him excel as captain of the team from 2002 to 2005.

During his time at Arsenal, he helped the club win three FA Cups and three league titles, one of which was unbeaten.

He returned to Italy and began playing for Juventus, but he departed soon after the club relegated after being involved in a match-fixing fiasco.

He then signed for Inter Milan, where he gained three league titles before returning to Manchester, where he also played for France for a long time as captain.

He competed in the final of his country's triumphant campaign at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and was prominent in the team's triumphant appearances against Euro 2000.

Despite playing a key role in the 2006 World Cup, Vieira was used sparingly by France in the later stages of his career, and he retired from international competition in 2010 after amassing 107 appearances for the team. Vieira converted from teaching after his retirement, where he took over the academy at Manchester City in 2013.

He'd leave two years later after signing for sister club New York City.

Following his debut in Major League Soccer (MLS), the team adopted a free-flowing, attacking, press-based system that earned him numerous accolades and earned him a move back to France to lead Ligue 1 team Nice in 2018, marking his first managerial role in Europe.

Early life

When he was eight years old, Vieira's family moved from Senegal to Dreux, France, but he didn't return to Senegal until 2003. Vieira's parents divorced when he was young, but he never saw his father again. His grandfather was in the French Army, making him eligible for French nationality at birth. Vieira, which means Portuguese, is his mother's maiden name, and he is from Cape Verde.

Personal life

Cheryl, Vieira's Trinidadian wife, first met in England while playing for Arsenal. They have a daughter. A gas was pumped into the family's house near Cannes in May 2006, but there were no long-term consequences, but the family had no long-term consequences.

Vieira returned to Senegal for the first time since his youth to lay the foundation stone of the Diambars football academy in Saly in 2003. Nine of the participants in Senegal's squad in the 2012 Olympic football tournament were selected.

Source

Club career

Vieira began playing for FC Tours U19 in the early 90s before moving to Cannes, where he made his debut in 1993 and captained the team at just 19 years old. He was signed by Milan's in the summer of 1995, but the club made only two first-team appearances for him.

Vieira was subjected to a transfer to English club Arsenal, according to the Daily Mirror on August 10, 1996, when original suitors Ajax were not agreed to. In a £3.5 million transfer, he joined Arsenal four days later. Arsenal and fellow Frenchman Rémi Garde's arrival at the club, as well as general manager Bruce Rioch's dismissal before the season had begun, suggested that Arsenal was governed by external power. Vieira later revealed that he had signed for Arsenal because his compatriot Arsène Wenger was supposed to be the club's next boss. "I am thrilled to be joining Arsenal as their coach and manager simultaneously." Knowing that I'll be able to speak French will make my life a lot more enjoyable for me." By the start of October, Wenger was officially in charge of managerial affairs at Arsenal, but Vieira had already made his name by appearing as a replacement against Sheffield on September 16th; the Times characterized him as a "thinking man's Carlton Palmer," who gave the Arsenal midfield some variety.

Vieira made his full debut against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium three days after. On December 8, 1996, he scored his first goal for the club against Derby County, a late equalizer in a 2–2 draw. His performances for Arsenal in the ensuing months made him a fan favorite among fans, and "the playmaker Arsenal have sought after Paul Davis pulled the strings in the 1991 championship team" was lauded. Arsenal struggled to win in the matches Vieira had been suspended during the Christmas break, according to Davis himself. With 38 appearances in total, he completed his first season in his first season, and Arsenal finished third in third place, missing out on a spot in the UEFA Champions League due to goal difference.

Vieira's relationship with international teammate Emmanuel Petit the following season was instrumental in Arsenal's triumph over a domestic league and cup double. In a 3–2 victory over Manchester United on November 9, Vieira scored his first goal of the campaign against them. Vieira, on the other hand, twisted his knee during the game and was barred from playing for a month. He returned to Wimbledon on December 22, 1997, but the trip was postponed due to floodlight problems. Vieira's first red card was issued against Coventry City on January 17, 1998, for using "foul and abusive words" at referee Stephen Lodge. Vieira was dismissed a month later, this time in a League Cup semi-final against Chelsea, a decision Wenger described as "completely ridiculous." Vieira helped Arsenal beat league leaders Manchester United and their card record had improved, with just one booking in the later stages of the season." Vieira had another fruitful season at Arsenal in 1998–99 after a fruitful World Cup campaign with the national team. Although Arsenal struggled to keep the Premier League, Vieira's work was lauded – he was named in the PFA Team of the Year alongside Petit.

After fouling striker Paolo Di Canio, Vieira was sent off for a second booking against West Ham United on October 2, 1999. He spat at Neil Ruddock, who walked into him and was dragged off the field by authorities moments later. Vieira was charged, suspended for six matches, and fined a record £45,000 by the Football Association (FA). Both Vieira and Arsenal were dissatisfied with their results, with the squad finishing 18 points behind champions Manchester United in second place. Arsenal advanced to the 2000 UEFA Cup Final, which Vieira also participated in, but the team lost the match on penalties after Vieira's spot kick hit the post.

Vieira's disciplinary woes suffered in the 2000–01 season. On the first day against Sunderland and for the second time in 72 hours at home to Liverpool, he was dismissed. In what was his last match before a five-match suspension, Vieira scored two goals against Charlton Athletic. It was feared that Vieira was going to return to English football as he was wounded – Wenger, several Arsenal players, and fans all supported him. After the ban, Vieira expressed his desire to stay at Arsenal but said he would not change his style of play: "I don't want to change." I adore English football and life in England. "I am happy here."

Vieira claimed he was the perpetrator of racial violence from Sinia Mihajlovia, which UEFA later opened an investigation into. Mihajlovi later confessed to mentioning Vieira's colour, but added that he had been provoked. For "unsporting conduct," the player was handed a two-match suspension. Vieira, who was hesitant to commit himself to the club for the third straight season, was hesitant to commit himself to the team, referring to the season, which wasn't until April 2001. Despite how good his results had been since Petit left, Arsenal's decision to sell him and Marc Overmars to Barcelona was a huge disappointment for me. We'd be much better and faster if we had the same team now, with Overmars and Petit in it. It's not that I dislike Petit; the team needs him."

Manchester United's director, Sir Alex Ferguson, a long-term admirer of the player, was given permission by his board to make a bid in May 2001. Vieira disparaged Arsenal's transfer business in the summer and was insistent that the club will not finish "in the top five in the league," referring to the Champions League. I'm leaving Arsenal, and I have made that abundantly clear." The club refused to respond to his remarks, but vice-chairman David Dein was privately furious at Vieira's agent, Marc Rogers, for allowing the situation to become chaotic. Wenger put the tragedy into Manchester United's custody: "They] took an approach to Patrick without not informing us, and that does not necessarily follow the rules." Vieira turned up for pre-season training in July 2001 as normal and was later named the team's vice captain, in order to ensure that he would replace Tony Adams as captain. Vieira's second double came in 2001-2002; Arsenal revived the league and defeated Chelsea in the 2002 FA Cup Final.

Vieira became the club captain after Adams' resignation in May 2002. He described the experience as "daunting," but it was something he looked forward to: "Taking the burden of others is something I relish." It will make me both a better, more mature footballer, and a more mature person as well." Vieira was sent off for a late tackle on Gianfranco Zola against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in September 2002; Arsenal's tenacity earned them a point. Vieira expressed his desire to rest in a conversation with L'Équipe shortly after, saying, "I can hardly bear the words." My back aches and legs hurt, and it all feels. I'm going to see Arsène. "He must give me time off to relax." He appeared in 66 games during Arsenal's previous campaign, but Wenger denied the player's need for special care: "I looked at the stats for Tuesday's game, and physically, Patrick was outstanding." He pushed himself hard, which explains why he was so drained."

Vieira's performance against Charlton on September 14th, 2002, was "welcome" to Wenger's belief in his captain's fitness, "even though it was his 200th appearance for Arsenal. "The Arsenal captain dominated the afternoon with a display of attacking, control, alertness, and movement that was exceptional even by his standards," David Lacey paid for his show against Newcastle United two months later. Vieira sustained a groin injury against Valencia in December 2002 and is back on Boxing Day to face West Bromwich Albion. Vieira was fined £2,300 by UEFA in May 2003 for failing to do enough to support racism, and the player was also subjected to racial abuse against Valencia. Vieira missed Arsenal's title run-in, which saw Manchester United overtake them in first place due to a knee injury. Vieira was also disqualified from the 2003 FA Cup Final, which Arsenal defeated.

Despite increasing desire to sign Vieira, not least from Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Chelsea in summer 2003, the player resigned at Arsenal and signed a deal that ran until 2007. Arsenal's 2003–04 season was a fruitful one for the team as they regained the league championship and became the first English team to win the entire league season. Vieira got off to a rocky start in the season after being suspended for one match against Manchester United in September 2003, and later fined £20,000 "for ineffective conduct in refusing to leave the field of play following his dismissal." During the match against Newcastle United, he suffered a thigh strain, kicking and out of the team for two months. On February 21, 2004, he scored his first goal of the season against Chelsea; Arsenal then opened a seven-point gap at the top of the league. Vieira scored the opening goal against Tottenham Hotspur in a 2–2 draw, enough for Arsenal to regain the trophy two months later. Dennis Bergkamp led Vieira with a pass over the goalkeeper and scored in the final league match of the season, with the score tied at 1-1. Arsenal ended the season as league champions without losing a single game – a record of 26 victories and 12 draws.

"I must repeat that my policy is to try to select the best player in the country in any position where we do not already have one." Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez's re-election in July 2004 prompted him to tell Vieira that the club's goal was to sign Vieira: "I must repeat that my aim is to sign the best player in the world in every position where we don't already have it." Patrick Vieira is, in my opinion, the best in the world in his position. Before it was anticipated that a bid of £18 million had been considered, Vieira's consultants spoke with officials from Real Madrid. Following Wenger's ultimatum, who was "probably" to make an offer for West Ham midfielder Michael Carrick as his replacement, Vieira decided to remain at Arsenal. "I'm staying at the club," he said in a tweet. I'm proud to be the captain of the club and look forward to achieving my dreams.

Vieira scored his first goal of the 2004–05 season in a nine-goal North London derby, which Arsenal beat Arsenal 5–4 on November 13, 2004. After a one-touch move, his second goal came in a fortnight at Liverpool, "lift[ing] a lazy, delicate finish away from Chris Kirkland." Arsenal lost the match late in the game against league leaders Chelsea on December, and Vieira, who had been suspended for the team's match against Newcastle in the Christmas season, scored the team's only goal against Newcastle. Vieira was involved in a tunnel bust up with Manchester United captain Roy Keane in February 2005 and was alerted of a case involving Gary Neville. Arsenal lost 4–2 to United, but the club ended the season in second place after a 7–0 home win over Everton. He made the winning penalty in a penalty shoot-out after a 0–0 draw with Manchester United, which was his last kick of a ball for Arsenal. Vieira played in the opening match of Emirates Stadium against Ajax on July 22, 2006, as one of the Arsenal legends against Ajax.

Representatives of Juventus met with Arsenal in July 2005 in the hopes of securing Vieira. The player, according to The Guardian, acknowledged that Arsenal were "willing to let him go" before agreeing in principle to join Juventus. Vieira signed a five-year contract on August 15, 2005, a total of £13.75 million.

Vieira was reunited with Fabio Capello, who had signed him at Milan as a child. Capello described him as a "very important player" and said, "his presence is felt not only for his technical worth, but also for his physical appearance." Capello's Vieira was sent by Capello in a midfield alongside Brazilian Emerson and Czech Pavel Nedvy. In Juventus' 1–0 victory over Chievo on August 28, 2005, Vieira made his debut for the team. In Juventus' first matchday of the Champions League, he was dismissed against Club Brugge on September 14, 2005. Vieira scored his first goal for the club against Udinese a week before, which contributed to Juventus' impressive start to the season. Vieira missed Juventus' Champions League match against Bayern Munich in October 2005 due to a groin injury while on international service for France. Vieira helped Juventus save the Scudetto, despite his appearances falling as a result of a persistent groin injury and a missed training ground bust-up with teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovi.

Vieira returned to Highbury on March 28, 2006 to face Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League's first leg. He was the subject of a solid tackle by former club and national teammate Robert Pires during the game. Vieira was left crestfallen as Pires regained control and Arsenal charged, scoring the first goal of the match through Cesc Fàbregas. Pires remarked that it was the first time in 13 years he had defeated Vieira physically. During the match, Vieira earned a yellow card, Arsenal defeated 2–0, and was suspended for the return leg on April 5, 2006, which ended 0–0 and ended Juventus. Arsenal reached the Champions League final after winning.

Since it was revealed that they were complicit in the Calciopoli fiasco, Juventus were stripped of their 2004–05 and 2005–06 titles. Juventus was promoted to Serie B and fined 17 points by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for their support, causing many of the club's top players to leave the country, including Juventus's major stars. Vieira officially signed a four-year contract with Inter Milan, less than half of the €20 million fee Juventus had paid just 12 months ago, after media reports linking him to several clubs, including a return to Arsenal on August 2, 2006. Vieira stated that he wanted to continue to perform at the highest level at the presentation conference, which is the reason for his departure from Juve.

Vieira scored twice on his Internoble's debut in the 2006 Supercoppa Italiana at the San Siro, on his first appearance at the San Siro on August 26th. He then captured the 2006–07, 2007,08, and 2008–09 Serie A titles. However, he was unable to become a regular starter due to injury. Olivier Dacourt, who was initially a back-up defender, became manager Roberto Mancini's first choice player in the 2006–07 season. Vieira's presence in the team diminished and lost importance after the club signed Sulley Muntari and Thiago Motta.

Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger admitted in reaction to widespread media rumors over Vieira's return to his former club in 2009 that he would consider re-signing Vieira. The switch never happened, but Vieira stayed at Inter, and Inter was unaffected. Vieira played as starter against Chievo on January 6, 2010, the season's first league start. Inter had missing Esteban Cambiasso and Muntari due to injuries, with Dejan Stankovi and Motta suspended before the game began, but not before. After the match, José Mourinho said Vieira had played his last game at Inter.

Vieira was confirmed on January 8th, 2010 that he would be attending a medical at Manchester City, and that he would sign a six-month contract, bringing together former Arsenal teammates Kolo Touré and Sylvinho, as well as former Inter manager Roberto Mancini. There was also an option for a 12-month extension on the deal. Vieira was described by Mancini as a superb midfielder with a winner's mentality and that he would fit in Manchester City's squad well.

In the 2–1 loss to Hull City on Friday, he made his debut on Sunday, replacing Craig Bellamy after an hour. He made his first appearance against Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday, where he assisted Emmanuel Adebayor after a long ball to win by 2–0. He was banned from three games in a row for a kick at Stoke City's Glenn Whelan later this month. In a 6–1 victory over Burnley on April 3, 2010, he scored his first goal for the club against Burnley. Vieira decided to a one-year deal on June 9th, which kept him at Eastlands until the summer of 2011.

Vieira scored the first two City goals in a 5–0 victory over Notts County in the FA Cup Fourth Round replay, and was awarded Man of the Match honors on February 22nd. He scored in the Premier League against Sunderland on April 3rd, just a minute after being brought on as a replacement for Adam Johnson in the 5–0 victory. Manchester City defeated Stoke 11-0 at Wembley Stadium on May 14th with an added-time replacement. He retired at the age of 35 on July 14, 2005, becoming a city development executive.

International career

Vieira made his French debut against the Netherlands in 1997. In the 1998 FIFA World Cup, he was part of the France squad. He came on as a substitute in the final against Brazil and set up Arsenal teammate Emmanuel Petit for France's third goal in a 3–0 victory. In 1998, he, as well as the rest of the squad, was named a Knight of the Legion of Honour.

He then played as a first-choice midfielder in France's great campaign at UEFA Euro 2000, which the team secured by defeating Italy in the final. He helped France win the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, finishing the tournament as the joint top scorer with two goals, including the winner, a header, in the final against Japan. He appeared in all three games in the 2002 World Cup, in which France was eliminated in the group stage after failing to score a single point.

Vieira was injured and missed France's loss to Greece, the eventual winners of Euro 2004, because Vieira was missing. After the tournament in Portugal, he became captain upon Zinedine Zidane's departure from international football. In August 2005, he returned the armband to the team as Zidane returned to the team.

Vieira's armband was used for the game against the suspended Zidane on June 23, 2006, his 30th birthday, and he scored the first goal as France defeated Togo 2–0 in the group stages of the 2006 World Cup; he also assisted Thierry Henry for the second. With this victory, France moved to the knockout stages in second, behind Switzerland. Vieira assisted Franck Ribéry in equalizer round and scored the second goal in a 3–1 victory over Spain. Spain is located in Spain. Vieira started the final, but Alou Diarra was forced to leave after Italy lost 5–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw.

Following Zidane's complete retirement, Vieira was reappointed captain of the French national team for the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign on August 5th. In a 1–0 victory over Greece at the Stade de France, he became France's fifth Frenchman to gain 100 caps on November 15th. Due to a nagging knee injury, he did not participate in the group games at Euro 2008 for a struggling France. Coach Raymond Domenech was not included in France's squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and his last cap with the national team was on June 2nd, 2009, in a friendly match against Nigeria, but he was not included by the team's squad.

Vieira said on July 7, 2010 that he was no longer interested in playing for France and would instead focus his attention to Manchester City. He earned 107 caps for France, scoring six goals.

Managerial career

Vieira resigned from playing and accepted a training and youth development role at Premier League club Manchester City on July 14, 2011, citing the phrase "Football Development Executive" in his title. He developed a strong, close working relationship with City Football Group's Brian Marwood in this position. Vieira was named as the head of the club's new reserve team, the Elite Development Squad, in May 2013.

Vieira was interviewed in May 2015 to take over as the next manager of Newcastle United's Premier League team, but both teams turned down due to a slew of policies.

Vieira was named as the current head coach of New York City FC, part of Manchester City's City Football Group, beginning with January 1, 2016, replacing inaugural head coach Jason Kreis. Claudio Reyna was chosen for the role by director of Football Claudio Reyna due to his familiarity with the company's operations, as well as his tactical expertise, which had been previously used by Jason Kreis on his scholar work in Manchester.

Jack Harrison, Vieira's first pick of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, was the first pick. On March 6, 2016, he took charge of his first Major League Soccer game against Chicago Fire, which his team won by 4–3. After finishing second in the Eastern Conference, he led New York City to their first playoff appearance. Despite losing in the conference semi-finals to Toronto, Vieira's first season was considered a fruitful first season by nearly all pundits.

In Vieira's first season in 2015 and then to second place in 2017, New York City improved its ranking in the combined MLS rankings in each of his years with the team, rising from 17th in 2015 to 4th in 2017 and then to 2nd in 2017.

Vieira was appointed as the head of Ligue 1 side Nice on June 11, 2018. In his first season as manager, he led the club to a seventh-place finish in the league, one place ahead of the club's debut in the previous season. Nice had a disappointing run in the Coupe de France, being eliminated by Toulouse in the round of 64, but EA Guingamp stopped them in the round of 16 during their Coupe de la Ligue campaign. After a string of 5 losses in all competitions and elimination from the Europa League's group stage, Patrick Vieira was no longer the manager of the club on December 4th.

Following the departure of their previous boss, Roy Hodgson, who served with Crystal Palace since 2017, Vieira was appointed as the manager of the Premier League on a three-year contract on July 4th, 2021. On his debut on August 14th, he lost 3–0 to Chelsea. He earned points at his two current Premier League squads in his first season: a 2–2 draw with Arsenal on October 18 and a 2–0 victory at Manchester City. He reached the semi-finals of the 2021–22 FA Cup, losing to Chelsea.

On 19 May 2022 at Goodison Park, Vieira was involved in an altercation with pitch-invading Everton supporters. Vieira declined to comment on the situation, although opposition boss Frank Lampard sympathized with him. When Vieira or the fan were arrested by Merseyside Police, neither Vieira nor the activist pleaded guilty.

Vieira has been known for implementing a systematic, possession-based football in all his clubs. He has a tendency to be more defensive when his team is in a tight spot. Under Roy Hodgson's leadership, his spell at Crystal Palace saw a shift toward a more forward-based game.

Source