Former French international and Manchester City midfielder, Patrick Vieira, has been named as New York City FC’s new head coach.
After failing to qualify for the playoffs in their inaugural Major League Soccer season, New York City FC, decided to sack the franchise’s first ever head coach, Jason Kreis. On Monday, the club confirmed what many had been speculating for a couple of weeks now. Patrick Vieira, has been named as the team’s new head coach.
Patrick Vieira (@OfficialVieira) appointed as #NYCFC Head Coach: https://t.co/noURRr7QBlpic.twitter.com/OEjz3hvf3G
Patrick Vieira (@OfficialVieira) appointed as #NYCFC Head Coach: https://t.co/noURRr7QBl pic.twitter.com/OEjz3hvf3G
— New York City Football Club (@NYCFC) November 9, 2015
While NYCFC will be Vieira’s first ever stint as a head coach, he took up a training and youth development role with Manchester City after he retired in 2011, and was appointed as the club’s reserve team and Elite Development squad manager in 2013.
Vieira is best known for his time on the pitch as a midfielder, where he featured for some of Europe’s biggest clubs. Along with the aforementioned Manchester City, where he ultimately finished his playing career, he also featured for the likes of Cannes, Milan, Arsenal, Juventus, and Inter. He was a key member of the French squads that lifted the World Cup in 1998, the Euro Cup in 2000, and the Confederations Cup in 2001.
New York City will be a new challenge for the 39-year-old, who never played professionally in North America himself. His most immediate concern will likely be addressing the issues at the back, with no team in the entire league conceding more goals than NYCFC did this year. The expansion club finished in 8th spot in the Eastern Conference this season, with just 37 points from 34 matches.
With Andrea Pirlo, David Villa, and Frank Lampard, all expected to return to Yankee Stadium next season, Vieira, will likely have all three of the team’s Designated Players with the club from the start of training camp. The same could not be said about Kreis this season.
The 2016 MLS campaign will kickoff in March, with the MLS SuperDraft taking place on January 14th.