Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira on verge of France return to become new Nice boss
He was linked with the Arsenal job and admitted he held initial talks with the Gunners before they appointed Unai Emery
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ARSENAL legend Patrick Vieira is on the brink of becoming the new Nice boss, according to reports.
The Ligue 1 side have been searching for a new gaffer after Lucien Favre opted for Borussia Dortmund as a replacement for Peter Bosz.
Vieira, who was linked with the Arsenal job before appointing Unai Emery, is in his third season as manager of New York City.
, Vieira admitted he held a conversation with Gunners' chiefs to become the new manager but talks failed to progress.
The Frenchman is highly regarded as a coach having learned his badges with Manchester City's Under-23 side.
He then moved to City's MLS franchise and guided them to second, three points adrift of top spot last season.
His side are currently second in the league but could go top of they beats leaders Atlanta in their next match.
Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere hope to appoint Vieira by the weekend and he will be tasked of guiding them to the Europa League.
The French side finished eighth in Ligue 1 and narrowly missed out on a European spot by one point.
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And he will have the task of landing a new striker after losing Italian Mario Balotelli.
The maverick hit 26 goals in all competitions but left the club as a free agent.