Patrick Vieira obtaining managerial advice from his former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

Patrick Vieira obtaining managerial advice from Arsene Wenger as he reveals ex-Arsenal boss told him ‘you’re never a real coach until you get fired’… and ‘two English clubs are in position’ to move for the Frenchman following his sacking from Nice

  • Patrick Vieira has spoken out for the first time since he was sacked by Nice
  • Vieira was dismissed last December by Nice after five consecutive defeats 
  • He has revealed he has sought advice from former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
  • The ex-midfielder is reportedly the subject of interest from two English clubs


Patrick Vieira has revealed he has been seeking wisdom from his former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger as he looks to return to management following his sacking from Nice.

Vieira has spoken out for the first time since being sacked by Nice last December following a run of five consecutive defeats and a shock Europa League exit – with his reign at the club lasting over two years after taking up the job in June 2018. 

And now ahead of a return to the managerial hotseat, with L’Equipe reporting that two English clubs have ‘positioned themselves’ to make a move for the Frenchman, Vieira has been obtaining vital advice from legendary Arsenal boss Wenger.

Patrick Vieira is looking to return to management after being sacked by Nice last December

When asked in an interview with the French publication whether he has called any of his former coaches to analyse his time at Nice better, Vieira replied: ‘Of course, I had Arsene on the phone. And one of the first sentences he said was, “You’re never a real coach until you get fired.”

‘We discussed how he saw me from the outside. It was very constructive discussions, as always with Arsene. 

‘When you get into this profession, you have to accept the idea that you will get fired at one point or another. I would have preferred it to have been a little later but it happened, and what is important for me, and I am sure of it today, is that this experience to me (sic).

Vieira’s dismissal from Nice came as a bitter blow to the 1998 France World Cup winner, who has big managerial ambitions.

The 44-year-old had previously been linked with the vacant role at Arsenal following the departure of Unai Emery, before the position was eventually given to Mikel Arteta.

Vieira has been seeking managerial advice from his former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

Vieira has been seeking managerial advice from his former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

His links to Manchester City and the City group following his brief playing days there and time working as coach of the club’s elite development squad also raised the possibility of him being a long-term replacement for Pep Guardiola.

But his sacking meant he took one big step back, and when asked whether he was afraid the ‘failure’ tag will follow him going forward, Vieira was insistent that he will bounce back.

‘No no not at all,’ he replied. ‘From the moment you get fired you see it as a failure, but I’m at the start of my coaching career. And my goal is to go very high. I will give myself the means to succeed. 

‘And the way people look at this failure is part of my construction as a coach. There have been failures in my playing career, I have always been able to bounce back.’

The Frenchman added: ‘My ambition is to have a great career as a coach. I am determined, I want to. And we’re only at the beginning. I will give myself the means to succeed. As a player, I have always looked for things, I have always fought. It will be the same for this job. I’ll go get what I want. I want to go to the very high level. 

The Frenchman managed New York City FC before moving to Ligue 1 outfit Nice

The Frenchman managed New York City FC before moving to Ligue 1 outfit Nice

‘When I interact with Arsene and he tells me that he has observed me and that I can be successful. These are the things that comfort me.’

Vieira, who has previously been biding his time ahead of his next managerial move, has admitted that it is his desire ‘to return very quickly’ now.

L’Equipe revealed that Vieira is the subject of interest from two English clubs, but he also has suitors elsewhere.

Vieira, who initially managed New York City FC before moving back to Europe, has reportedly rejected lucrative offers from the Middle East.

Vieira reportedly sees his managerial future in Europe and is eyeing up an ambitious project.

The former Arsenal skipper has not ruled out another stint in France while he is open to moving to Italy too having previously played for AC Milan, Juventus and Inter.