When Patrick Vieira retired from playing football and subsequently joined Manchester City’s team behind the scenes, it’s fair to say a few Arsenal fans felt hard done by.

However, when speaking with L’equipe, the defensive midfielder revealed how his decision to join the Sky Blues wasn’t necessarily down to not wanting to work with Arsenal, it was because he never got an offer.

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: Reserve team manager of Manchester City FC Patrick Vieira looks on during the UEFA Youth League Round of 16 match between Manchester City FC and FC Schalke 04 at City Football Academy on February 24, 2015 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

“Everywhere I go, people say that to me. It was out of the question for me to put myself forward. Why would I have done? When I stopped playing, I had an offer from City, and I didn’t get a call from Arsene.

“If he had wanted me to work with him, he would have asked me. It was a disappointment for me, both from the club but also Arsene. I gave a lot to Arsenal, and the club and Arsene gave me a lot too,” he said.

Vieira currently coaches City’s reserve team and it seems as if a managerial role is on the horizon for the former Gunner.

On whether he could replace the existing Man City manager, Manuel Pellegrini, who has had a disappointing season, the Frenchman said, “There is a manager in place so I am not asking myself that question. I will soon talk to my bosses. Our relationship is excellent, and I feel very good at the club.

“Why not continue to flourish with the youth team?”

However, he did confess, “I don’t say ‘No’ to France.

“There are a lot of great players in France. I love Marco Verratti, the best player in Ligue 1 by far.

“There’s also Nabil Fekir, who’s really very good. Actually, I have asked Jean-Michel Aulas if I can go to Lyon to learn about their youth academy policy.

“In fact, I have not set myself a place nor an age: 38, 45… It doesn’t matter.”

“If an interesting project comes up tomorrow, I will study it carefully while also talking to the people at City, with whom I have a transparent relationship.

“The condition is the solidity of the project and the people — the presidents especially — who are leading it, as well as the quality of the structures. I will not go into something if I risk finding myself all alone if things don’t go well.”

Vieira was very open about the fact we would like to progress in the world of managing.

This is obviously a role he enjoys and takes very seriously.

Although, jumping from reserve team coach to manager of Manchester City may be a little ambitious at the moment, I’m sure we’ll see him sitting in the dugout of a Premier League team very soon.