Legendary former Arsenal midfielder, Patrick Vieira, has revealed that he was “disappointed” by Arsenal after the Gunners failed to offer him a coaching role at the club. The former France international is now a part of Machester City's backroom staff and could even become their next manager after Pep Guardiola leaves.
Despite spending nine years under Arsene Wenger, Patrick Vieira joined Manchester City’s backroom staff upon his retirement, a move that many Gooners found inscrutable at that time. However speaking to RMC, the former Juventus midfielder revealed his disappointment at being snubbed by the “club of my heart.”
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“It’s true that after spending nine years at Arsenal, it’s the club of my heart – the one where I played my best football – I would have liked if the door was more open to me or other players who spent time there and who would have wanted to learn their career as a coach.
“Unfortunately, that’s not the case. I was lucky to arrive at Manchester City at the right moment, but it’s true that it leaves a little disappointment with regards to Arsenal.”
He then went on to state that it is unlikely that the former Arsenal players will be asked to serve the team as coaches since these are matters that have to run a natural course.
“I don’t think that [myself, Thierry Henry or others] have the ambition to claim the spotlight at Arsenal, because it’s not possible. Things must be done naturally.”
Vieira then went on to reveal his expectations with the club, that all he ever wanted was a place to learn the tricks of the trade, and that he has not spoken with Arsene Wenger. He stated that it wasn’t in his intention to replace any of the current coaches at the youth levels of the club, instead he just wanted to learn from them.
“I don’t know the demands of everyone, but in my case I just expected a call to ask me if I would go and learn my craft at Arsenal – without taking the place of the U21 or U19 coach, because they are good at their job.
“I’ve never spoken [with Wenger]. At the same time, he does want he wants.”
The midfielder was a part of the Arsenal squad that went on to the Premier League without losing a single game during the 2003-2004. Such was the influence of the Frenchman that the Gunners went into a barren streak of 9 trophyless years after Vieira left the club.
Meanwhile, it looks as though Wenger’s men are doing just fine without Patrick Vieira in their backroom staff as they have started the season brilliantly and appear to be Chelsea’s main rival for the Premier League title.
