Crystal Palace is close to naming Patrick Vieira as their manager after an arrangement was reached in principle with the former Arsenal captain. According to The Athletic, the final details of the deal will be completed this week. The process of applying for a visa is underway. His previous managerial experience has seen him spend roughly two and a half seasons each leading MLS’s New York City and French side OG Nice.
Vieira featured on the original list of candidates under consideration for the job at Selhurst Park, beside Burnley’s Sean Dyche, former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard after understanding that Roy Hodgson was not going to extend his four-season stint in south London. The club subsequently pursued the likes of Nuno Espirito Santo, but talks didn’t come to fruition with the Portuguese manager. Former Borussia Dortmund head coach Lucien Favre had agreed to a three-year deal but backed out at the last moment as he wants to take a longer break from football.
Viera left Nice in December last year after finishing seventh and fifth in his two full seasons in charge and qualifying for the Europa League, before a slump into mid-table last season saw him dismissed.
Palace finished 14th last season under Hodgson, but their squad needs an overhaul. There are 11 players out of contract, including Jeffrey Schlupp, Patrick Van Aanholt, Andros Townsend, and Gary Cahill, who have played at least 20 league games each last season. The London based club is keen to strengthen the squad with younger players either bought from outside or promoted from the academy.
With Patrick Viera as manager of the Eagles, it will be interesting to see if he can be successful in the Premier League. The fans might have preferred an experienced coach to help the club rebuild the squad. Nevertheless, Crystal Palace has reportedly offered him a two-year deal. It will be intriguing to see whether Amazon will show Palace’s haphazard approach of finding a new manager in the docuseries.