Patrick Vieira has landed a new job as the new head coach of French side Strasbourg – 4 months after he was sacked by Crystal Palace.
This is coming after Chelsea’s owners led by Todd Boehly agreed a deal to buy a majority stake in Strasbourg as part of a multi-club ownership model.
Antonetti, who led the team last season, helped them avoid relegation by five points but agreed to step down from his position after Todd Boehly-led consortium invested in the club.
Vieira has shown his experience after spells in charge of Major League Soccer (MLS) team New York City and Ligue 1 outfit Nice, as well as Palace.
Speaking via Strasbourg’s Twitter account, Viera said: “I am particularly happy to join Racing.”
“I know the history and the identity of this club, the fervour it arouses, the importance it has for its region, which is a place of football and passion.
“The rebuilding of the club in recent years, under the direction of Marc Keller [Strasbourg’s president], is an example to be admired. Working with him is a real pleasure for me. Today, a new cycle begins for Racing and it is exciting as a coach to be able to build something while relying on the values that have defined the strength of the club.”
The club’s chairman Steve Parish confirmed that the “difficult decision” was “with enormous regret”, yet it proved to be the right call.
Patrick Vieira is well known for his feat and his achievements as a player and won countless honours during that time, including three Premier League titles.
At the international level, Viera also did well as he was capped 107 times for France and won the World Cup in 1998, the Euros in 2000 and the Confederations Cup in 2001.
He also helped his country reach the final of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, but they lost on penalties to Italy.
R. Strasbourg President. Marc Keller commented on Viera’s appointment, saying: “I welcome Patrick Vieira, whom I know from the French national team.”
“I am very happy to welcome him to Strasbourg. Patrick’s arrival should allow us to make further progress and to take a step forward.”
“He corresponds to the profile we were looking for: a manager with international experience, and who also has a good knowledge of Ligue 1 and its young players.”
“We are convinced that he will be able to do a very good job here, in a healthy and fulfilling environment. We are going to put him in the best conditions so that he can succeed.”
Patrick Vieira
Patrick Vieira is a French football manager and former player who was born on 23 June, 1976.
He is currently the manager of Ligue 1 club Strasbourg four months after he was axed as Crystal Palace boss.
Vieira is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history and amongst Arsenal’s greatest ever players.
The Frenchman started his playing career at Cannes, where several standout performances garnered him a move to Serie A club Milan.
