Patrick Vieira is enjoying his time as manager of New York City FC and isn’t pushing for a return to Europe.

The former Arsenal and France midfielder has been in charge of MLS side New York City FC for two seasons now.

His work with the club has been impressive. For the second season running, he’s led them to the MLS Play-offs and will compete for the MLS Cup.

Such good work has seen him linked with various jobs around Europe, as well as the vacant USA national team job. However, Vieira is happy where he is right now.

“It is flattering … to be linked with different clubs around Europe but it is just journalist talk,” Vieira told the Guardian.

“I am doing what I love and am where I want to be. It was just speculation [regarding the USA job] and the best way to kill speculation is to be true and to be honest straight away and people will not talk about it anymore.”

Vieira became a coach at Manchester City after calling time on his playing career. He was then handed the opportunity to manage New York City FC, one of the club’s owned by Manchester City.

It’s this connection that has led to speculation that Vieira could one day replace Pep Guardiola at City. However, the Frenchman believes the link is a “fairy tale”, and is open to staying in the MLS beyond his current contract.

“Why not?” he said. “I don’t have any reason why not.”

Vieira also believes he’s improved as a coach during his time in America.

“I am a better coach, I believe, than when I arrived.

“There are lots of different scenarios you are facing – you are reacting, anticipating, making different decisions and then you reflect on those – and you see if you made the right ones and that can be on or off the field.”

The experience seems to be proving valuable for Vieira, who many hope will return to Arsenal in some capacity one day.