Patrick Vieira ‘would die to be next Arsenal boss’ after Arsene Wenger, reveals Ray Parlour
Gunners legend Vieira is currently manager of MLS side New York City FC but his former team-mate reckons he would leave for the Emirates hot seat
ARSENAL legend Patrick Vieira would love to take over from Arsene Wenger, according to Ray Parlour.
The Invincibles skipper has been reported to be in the running to return to the Emirates as boss with Wenger set to end his 22-year reign in the summer.
Former team-mate Parlour reckons New York City FC boss Vieira would be great for the job and has been waiting for the opportunity to take over a big club like Arsenal.
Speaking to talkSPORT host Jim White, Parlour revealed: “I have spoken to Patrick about this in the past. He would certainly want the job.
“I know for a fact that Patrick Vieira would die for the chance of managing Arsenal.
“I know he’s doing a really good job at the moment in New York and he’s under the Manchester City umbrella, but he wants a big job.
“He was at the club for ten-odd years, he knows exactly how the clubs runs, he knows exactly what standards have been set and I think he’d be superb for the dressing room.
“I played with him and he was great as a player in the dressing room area, so if he can do the same as a manager then he’ll be a very successful one.
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Wenger has one year remaining on his contract but fan pressure and lack of success on the pitch seems to have finally caught up with the Frenchman.
And Parlour believes the planning must start now to make sure their is a smooth transition for when he finally departs as manager.
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The three-time Premier League winner added: “I think the club has got to start planning now.
“We don’t know what will happen in the summer, Wenger still has another year left on his contract so he could see it out and then walk away.
“There’s an argument to say, if Wenger is going to continue for one more year, is it worth bringing in Patrick now? They could bring him into the environment with the players as one of the coaches before he takes over.
“Patrick had wonderful years at Arsenal, and I know he moved on to Man City and was great for them as well, but the main part of his career was at Arsenal. He was very successful. He was magnificent for the club.
“He was a young lad when he first came and he saw the proud way the badge was worn by the British players, like Tony Adams - that’s who he looked up to. He knew this was a special club to be involved in.
“I know the fans would embrace him straight away as a manager. He might need time, but I think they would give him time because he was such a legend at the club.
“It doesn’t always work out for former players going back as the manager, we’ve seen that, but I think they would give him the chance and the players would respect him.”