David Seaman would like to see Arsenal give the manager’s job to Patrick Vieira if they can’t get a manager with a ‘big personality’.

CARDIFF, WALES - MAY 17: David Seaman and Patrick Vieira of Arsenal lift the FA Cup after a 1-0 victory over Southampton during the FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Southampton at the Millennium Stadium on May 17, 2003 in Cardiff. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
CARDIFF, WALES – MAY 17: David Seaman and Patrick Vieira of Arsenal lift the FA Cup after a 1-0 victory over Southampton during the FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Southampton at the Millennium Stadium on May 17, 2003 in Cardiff. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

I don’t think David Seaman meant his comments to come across that way, of course, when he was naming his choice for Arsenal manager. I think he was talking more about a big managerial reputation rather than personality.

Still, if Arsenal don’t hire a star-name, he wants them to go for Patrick Vieira.

Sunday Mirror, 8 December 2019
Sunday Mirror, 8 December 2019

“Everyone thought, when Arsene left, the standard would move on, but I always said, ‘You need to hang on a little bit’ because the standards he set were so high,” said Seaman.

“I know it tailed off a little at the end, but the standard was still very good. He was always going to be a tough act to follow and that’s been proved by what we’ve seen since.

“Arsenal have to learn lessons from what happened at Manchester United and they have to be very careful when it comes to choosing the kind of manager they pick this time.

“If they go down the same route as Unai Emery, I don’t know which way things will go.

“I want them to get a manager with a really strong personality. Either that or go the opposite way and get someone like Patrick Vieira or Mikel Arteta.

MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM: Arsenal players (L-R:) Martin Keown, captain Patrick Vieira,keeper David Seaman, Ashley Cole,Ray Parlour, and Edu celebrate after a premier league match win over Manchester United at Old Trafford 08 May 2002. The win secured Arsenal the double after winning the cup final 04 May 2002. (Photo credit PAUL BARKER/AFP via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM: Arsenal players (L-R:) Martin Keown, captain Patrick Vieira,keeper David Seaman, Ashley Cole,Ray Parlour, and Edu celebrate after a premier league match win over Manchester United at Old Trafford 08 May 2002. The win secured Arsenal the double after winning the cup final 04 May 2002. (Photo credit PAUL BARKER/AFP via Getty Images)

“If I had to choose between those two, then I would choose Patrick because he has had more experience as a manager.

“You’ve seen the reaction that the fans gave when Freddie was appointed caretaker manager,” added Seaman about his choice for Arsenal manager. “That was great, but it needs to move on. Arsenal need to get better.

“We’re really struggling to get into the top four at the moment, maybe even the top five. That’s miles away from the Arsenal I used to play for.

“We see Manchester United in the same boat – that’s two massive clubs struggling to get into the Champions League.

“Two clubs who were once the kings of the Premier League.”

Naming Vieira as Arsenal manager would certainly be a bold call from the club.

While there is no doubt the fans would welcome him back with open arms and Vieira himself would love to take charge of Arsenal, has he really done enough to show he’s the man for the job at this moment in time?

I’d absolutely love him to be but I’d be wary of going too soon for him and ruining his chances of making a real go of it one day.

At Nice, where he’s been since last summer, he’s averaging 1.36 points in Ligue 1, yet has been named as the favourite for the Arsenal job.

At the end of November, he was one of the favourites to take charge of David Beckham’s Inter Miami.

How can these two things be the same?

Anyway, speaking recently about being linked with the job, Vieira was incredibly diplomatic even if he is Seaman’s choice for Arsenal manager.