All you need to know about new Palace manager Patrick Vieira

Club

4 Jul 2021

Patrick Vieira’s name will be familiar to fans as one of the Premier League’s greatest midfielders, but how much do you know about the new Palace manager? Read up on the key details below!

Background

Born in Dakar, Senegal, Vieira’s family moved to Dreux in northern France when he was eight-years- old. He began his playing career at Cannes, making his debut at just 17-years-old, and demonstrated his considerable leadership skills immediately, being named captain two years later.

His performance at Cannes caught the eyes of European giants AC Milan, though he struggled to establish his place at the San Siro. Vieira was then poached by Arsenal, who were soon to appoint compatriot Arsène Wenger as manager.

Premier League dominance

Vieira embodied the revolution that followed at Highbury, first proving instrumental in the double- winning season of 1997/98, and then winning the Premier League title again in 2002/03.

After Tony Adams’ retirement in 2002, he was named club captain and led the side to one of English football’s greatest achievements: completing an unbeaten season in 2003/04. It remains the only time the feat has been achieved since Preston North End in 1888/89.

Vieira’s final flourish at Arsenal was to score the winning penalty in the 2004/05 FA Cup final shoot- out, before signing for Juventus that summer. His spell in north London was not just successful for the club – although three Premier League titles and four FA Cups demonstrate his impact – but for him personally, being named in the PFA Team of the Year for six years on the trot.

The new Palace manager was later named in the Premier League Team of the Decade for 1992/93 – 2002/03.

European and international success

After a season with Juventus, Vieira signed for Inter Milan and made a successful return to the San Siro, scoring twice on his debut to win the Supercoppa Italiana in 2006. He went on to win three more league titles to complement his three in north London.

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But it was on the international stage that Vieira’s greatest exploits were played out. After making his France debut in 1997, the former midfielder was part of the World Cup-winning squad in 1998, setting up the final goal in the 3-0 final victory over Brazil.

He quickly became France’s first-choice midfielder, and was a crucial part of the side which won the European Championship two years later, beating Italy in the final. He then took Les Bleus to victory in the Confederations Cup, scoring the winner in the final against Japan.

After captaining France at the group stages of the 2006 World Cup where Zinedine Zidane was absent, Vieira would go on to reach another final, before a penalty shoot-out loss to Italy prevented a second World Cup trophy.

Vieira continued to represent his country until 2009, when he retired from international duty with 107 caps to his name. He remains one of just eight male French footballers to reach a century of appearances for the national team.

Manchester City and coaching career

Signing for Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City, Vieira made a return to the Premier League in 2010, and was part of the side that won the club’s first trophy for 35 years: the FA Cup in 2010/11.

After announcing his retirement from playing in 2011, Vieira accepted a post as Football Development Executive with Manchester City’s Academy set-up, before going on to manage the club’s reserve side.

Showing his coaching promise in Manchester, he was appointed Head Coach of New York City F.C. in Major League Soccer, leading the club to their first ever play-off appearance in his first full campaign.

Moving to Ligue 1 side Nice in 2018, Vieira continued to impress, guiding the club to seventh-place in his first season in charge.

Style of play

All football fans of a certain age will remember Vieira’s dominating presence in midfield as a player; powerful and skilful in equal measure with the ability to bring the ball forward as ably as he could prevent the opposition.

As a coach, belief in a solid midfield structure remains, with Vieira often deploying a defensive midfielder in a 4-1-4-1 formation – although he’s not afraid to match up to the strengths of opponents with a three-man defensive unit.

Expecting centre-backs to be confident in possession, Vieira’s sides look to get the ball to the attackers quickly to disrupt the opposition shape, with emphasis on attacking through the middle as well as via the wings.

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