Wenger backs Vieira to be the Arsenal coach – but not now
Arsene Wenger has been speaking about Patrick Vieira being a future Arsenal coach and has given a sound argument why he would be perfect for the role.
It must be noted in advance that Wenger is talking about the future, not now, he is in no way undermining Unai Emery, he is simply pointing out that Vieira is doing all the right things in how he is constructing his career with intelligence and patience.
“I see him as the Arsenal coach one day because I think he is too young to go directly into international football, ” Wenger said
“I think his life will go through club football. He has constructed his career intelligently and patiently.
“He left when he was young, he went to New York, he is now in Nice and he has taken time to mature and learn his profession.
“And something you can’t give: he has a natural charisma, he is both elegant and authoritative.
“He has passed through a difficult time at Nice but he showed no signs of weakness.
“It is in times of crisis you see the coach.”
I am in total agreement with Wenger in his assessment of Vieira and any analysis of his career path to date will confirm that the 42-year-old is ticking all the right boxes, he is taking it step by step not jumping into a high profile club straight away but educating himself at each level.
I would have liked to see Vieira in some sort of coaching role at the Emirates but that ship has sailed, it is difficult to see him taking a backward step from management to an assistant position.
Hopefully we will not see Vieira at Arsenal for quite a few years because we all must want Emery to succeed and build a dynasty as Wenger himself did in the early years, however, if and when the time does arrive that we need a new manager I for one would be happy to see Patrick take that role on.