Patrick Vieira has ruled himself out of the running for the Arsenal manager’s job…for now but Pep Guardiola thinks he’s ready for it.
Patrick Vieira has said that he’s happy in New York as he continues to be linked with the Arsenal job.
The former Arsenal midfielder emerged quickly as a favourite for the job after Arsene Wenger’s announcement.
In fact, despite Wenger saying he would have no role in helping to choose his own successor, it was reported that he recommended Vieira as the best man for the job despite his limited managerial experience.
But speaking in New York, Vieira has moved to quickly squash the rumours.
“I’m always flattered to hear my name linked with different football clubs. That is good for your ego, I will say it,” he told New York radio station WNYE.
“Of course, spending nine years at Arsenal made this club really special for me because of the quality of time I had over there, the relationship I had with the fans.
“But of course, that is not enough to think of going there and coaching the team. I just enjoy myself and I’m happy where I am and we will see what will happen in the next couple years.”
Vieira played for Arsenal 371 times, captaining the side during their unbeaten season. In total, he won three league titles and three FA Cups with Arsenal before moving on to Juventus after nine years.
Finishing his playing career at Manchester City, the former midfielder then took up a role as youth co-ordinator before becoming u21 manager and then signing for New York City as their manager.
It is the route of a man willing to put in the work to make himself the best manager he can be by learning the ropes from the bottom up, unlike Thierry Henry who seems quite happy to put himself forward for the Arsenal job despite not even being prepared to quit punditry to learn how to coach at Arsenal.
Vieira has managed 81 NYC matches, averaging 1.62 points per game.
Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, has claimed that Vieira IS ready to take over at Arsenal.
The City manager said, “Of course, he is ready. He is already a top manager.
“With what has happened there will be a lot of names there, Arsenal will take the best decision for them.