Patrick Vieira ‘is the favourite to be the next Strasbourg manager’ after the Ligue 1 side were bought by Chelsea as part of the plan to develop a multi-club network
- Strasbourg were recently taken over by Chelsea’s parent company BlueCo
- The Ligue 1 outfit finished 15th last season and are looking for a new manager
- Ex-Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira has emerged as the favourite for the role
Patrick Vieira has reportedly emerged as the favourite to take over at French side Strasbourg.
The former Crystal Palace manager has been out of work since being sacked by the Eagles in March after a run of 12 games without a win.
Following his retirement in 2011, Vieira spent four years coaching in the Manchester City youth set-up before moving onto a satellite club of City Football Group, New York City FC.
He was in charge of the MLS outfit for two years when he then joined Nice, helping the Ligue 1 outfit qualify for the Europa League. However, the Frenchman was sacked in December 2020 after a little more than two years in the role.
And, according to French outlet L’Equipe, Strasbourg – who were recently taken over by Chelsea’s parent company BlueCo after Todd Boehly outlined his desire to build a multi-club network – are likely to appoint Vieira as their new boss following the departure of previous manager Frederic Antonetti this month.
Patrick Vieira has reportedly emerged as the favourite to take over at French side Strasbourg
The Ligue 1 outfit were recently taken over by Chelsea as they plan to build a multi-club model
Strasbourg finished 15th in Ligue 1 last season, ending five points above the relegation zone
The report states the club has loftier ambitions since the takeover after they finished 15th in Ligue 1 last season.
Vieira, former Toulouse boss Philippe Montanier and ex Union Saint-Gilloise manager Karel Geraerts were seen as the main contenders for the role.
However, Belgium coach Geraerts – who has been linked with many jobs in Ligue 1 this summer – is now out of the running with Strasbourg preferring to appoint a Frenchman.
Meanwhile, Montanier was harshly sacked by Toulouse at the end of last season despite despite winning the Coupe de France and guiding the club to a 13th place finish in their first year back in the French top flight after promotion.
The report states the 58-year-old – who had a short but unsuccessful spell in charge of Nottingham Forest from 2016 to 2017 – is not keen to jump straight back into management, leaving Vieira as the front-runner.
During his three managerial roles, the Frenchman has won 97 of his 253 games in charge.
He initially made a hugely positive impression at Palace as he helped to transform their style of play and guided them to a 12th place finish in 2021-22.
Vieira has been out of work since being sacked by Crystal Palace in March following a winless run of 12 games, but he has previous experience in France having also managed Nice
Former Toulouse boss Philippe Montanier (right) and ex Union Saint-Gilloise manager Karel Geraerts (left) were seen as the main contenders for the role alongside Vieira
Despite a solid start last season, a dismal 12-match run without a win left them just three points clear of the relegation zone and he was replaced by his predecessor Roy Hodgson.
When their purchase of Strasbourg was confirmed, Chelsea refused to comment on the size of the stake but reports in France claimed the Blues’ owners had bought the entire club at a cost of around £65m.
Strasbourg president Marc Keller is set to retain his position and the club will run independently from Chelsea.
The French side hope the new investment will allow them to become a top eight side as well as improve all teams and the infrastructure across the club.
There will be sharing of resources and expertise by the Blues, while the partnership will also allow them to use Strasbourg to help develop players, including those from overseas who might not immediately be eligible to move straight to England.
A statement from BlueCo, Chelsea’s ownership group, at the time said: ‘It is an honour for us to be part of this historic club. We are committed to preserving the heritage of Racing Club de Strasbourg and are focused on working closely with Marc and his management team to continue the excellent work they have been doing.
‘This strategic investment would further our presence in European football, alongside our ownership of Chelsea. We believe it would create huge opportunities to share knowledge and expertise.’
