Patrick Paul Vieira (French:[patʁikvjɛʁa];[2][3] born 23 June 1976) is a professionalfootball manager and former player who was most recently the head coach ofSerie A clubGenoa. Widely regarded as among the best players of his generation and one of the greatestmidfielders of all time, he was named in theFIFA 100 of the greatest living footballers in 2004.[4]
Vieira began his playing career atCannes, where several standout performances garnered him a move toSerie A clubAC Milan. In 1996, he relocated to England to join fellow countrymanArsène Wenger at Arsenal for a fee of £3.5 million. During his nine-year stint in the Premier League, Vieira established himself as a dominatingbox-to-box midfielder, noted for his aggressive and highly competitive style of play, an attitude that also helped him excel as captain of the club from 2002 until his departure in 2005. He helped Arsenal achieve a sustained period of success during his time at the club, where he lifted fourFA Cups and three league titles, includingone unbeaten. He was named in the Premier League PFA Team of the Year for six consecutive years from 1999 to 2004. He returned to Italy, playing forJuventus, but quickly departed after the club was relegated as punishment for its part in theCalciopoli scandal. He then signed forInter Milan, where he consecutively won four league titles, before featuring forManchester City, where he won another FA Cup, before retiring in 2011.
Vieira featured at senior level for much of his international career, representingFrance over a period of twelve years, where he also spent some time as captain. He played in the final in his nation's victorious campaign at the1998 FIFA World Cup, and featured heavily as the team also wonUEFA Euro 2000. He also appeared forFrance at the2002 World Cup,Euro 2004, in the side that finished runners-up in the2006 World Cup, and atEuro 2008, before retiring from international competition in 2010, having made 107appearances for the side.
Following retirement, Vieira transitioned into coaching and took charge of the academy at Manchester City in 2013. He departed two years later to become manager ofMajor League Soccer clubNew York City FC. He subsequently managed Ligue 1 clubNice between 2018 and 2020, Premier League sideCrystal Palace between 2021 and 2023, and Ligue 1 clubStrasbourg between 2023 and 2024. In 2024, he became manager of Italian clubGenoa but was sacked in October 2025 with the club bottom of the table.
Vieira was born inDakar, Senegal,[5] on 23 June 1976.[6] Vieira's family moved toDreux, France,[7] when he was eight, and he did not return to Senegal until 2003.[8] His parents divorced when Vieira was young, and he never met his father again.[9] His French citizenship was conferred on him at birth as his grandfather served in the French Army.[9] His surname Vieira,[10] which isPortuguese, is the maiden name of his mother, who is fromCape Verde.[9]
Vieira first played for Tours U19 in the early 1990s, before moving toCannes, where he made his debut at the age of 17, in 1993, and captained the team at just 19 years old.[11] In the summer of 1995, he was signed by ItalianSerie A clubAC Milan, although he made just five first-team appearances for the club.[12]
On 10 August 1996, theDaily Mirror reported that Vieira was subject to a move to English clubArsenal, given personal terms with original suitorsAjax were not reached.[13] He joined Arsenal four days later in a £3.5 million move.[14] The peculiarity of Vieira and fellow FrenchmanRémi Garde arriving at the club, coupled with managerBruce Rioch's dismissal before the season had begun, suggested that Arsenal was managed by exterior influence.[14] Vieira later revealed he signed for Arsenal because his compatriotArsène Wenger was going to be the club's next manager: "I am delighted to be joining Arsenal at the same time as Mr Wenger becomes their coach. Being able to speak French to him will make life a lot easier for me."[15] Wenger was officially in command of managerial affairs at Arsenal by the start of October, but Vieira had already made his mark, coming on as a substitute againstSheffield Wednesday on 16 September 1996;The Times described him as a "thinking man'sCarlton Palmer … who, at last, gives the Arsenal midfield some variety."[16]
"It's been a while since we've had a midfield player who looks at the front man's run first and then looks at other options. He makes dream passes forward and he's already put me in several times."
Vieira made his full debut againstMiddlesbrough at theRiverside Stadium, three days after.[18] He scored his first goal for the club againstDerby County on 8 December 1996 – a late equaliser in a 2–2 draw.[19] His performances for Arsenal in the subsequent months made him a fans' favourite and was lauded as "the playmaker Arsenal have sought sincePaul Davis pulled the strings in the 1991 championship-winning team".[20] Davis himself noted that in the matches Vieira was suspended during the Christmas period, Arsenal struggled to win.[20] He ended his first season with 38 appearances in total and Arsenal finished in third place, missing out on a spot in theUEFA Champions League via goal difference.[21]
Vieira's partnership with international teammateEmmanuel Petit the following season was instrumental in helping Arsenal complete a domestic league and cup double. Vieira scored his first goal of the campaign againstManchester United in a 3–2 victory on 9 November 1997.[22] Vieira twisted his knee during the match, and was ruled out from playing for a month.[23] He returned for the trip atWimbledon on 22 December 1997, which was postponed due to floodlight problems.[24] In a game againstCoventry City on 17 January 1998, Vieira received his firstred card for using "foul and abusive language" at refereeStephen Lodge.[25] Vieira was again dismissed a month later, this time in aLeague Cup semi-final againstChelsea, a decision which Wenger described as "absolutely ridiculous".[26] Towards the finishing straight of the campaign, Vieira helped Arsenal make ground on league leaders Manchester United and his card record had improved, "with only one booking in the latter stages of the season".[27] After a successful World Cup campaign with the national team, Vieira had another productive season at Arsenal in1998–99. Although Arsenal failed to retain the Premier League, Vieira's endeavour was rewarded – he was named in thePFA Team of the Year alongside Petit.[28]
AgainstWest Ham United on 2 October 1999, Vieira was sent off for a second booking, after fouling strikerPaolo Di Canio.[29] Moments after, he spat atNeil Ruddock, who walked into him and was dragged off the pitch by officials.[30] Vieira was subsequently charged, banned for six matches and fined a record £45,000 byThe Football Association.[31] The season ended in disappointment for both Vieira and Arsenal, as the team finished 18 points behind champions Manchester United, in second place. Arsenal reached the2000 UEFA Cup Final, in which Vieira played. but the team lost the match on penalties againstGalatasaray; Vieira's spot kick hit the post.[32]
Disciplinary problems continued to beset Vieira in the2000–01 season. He was sent off on the opening day againstSunderland, and for the second time in 72 hours at home toLiverpool.[33] Vieira scored two goals, the following match againstCharlton Athletic, in what was his final appearance before a five-match suspension. It was feared that Vieira was prepared to turn his back on English football, as he felt victimised – Wenger, several Arsenal players and fans supported him publicly.[34][35] After the ban, Vieira himself expressed his desire to remain at Arsenal but noted he could never alter his style of play "because, basically, I don't want to change. I really enjoy English football and the life in England. I am happy here."[36]
After a group stage match againstLazio in October 2000, Vieira claimed he was the target of racial abuse fromSiniša Mihajlović, whichUEFA subsequently launched an investigation into.[37] Mihajlović later admitted he made reference to Vieira's ethnicity, but added that he was provoked. The player was then handed a two-match ban for "unsporting actions".[38] Given Arsenal that finished behind Manchester United in the league for a third consecutive season, Vieira was reluctant to commit himself to the club, and described the season, up until April 2001, as "average".[39] Despite how mature his performances had become since Petit left, he criticised Arsenal's decision to sell him andMarc Overmars toBarcelona: "Of course it was good business but it was a big disappointment for me. If we still had the same team now and put Overmars and Petit in it, we would be even better and stronger. It's not that I miss Petit – the team needs him."[39]
In May 2001,The Daily Telegraph reported that Manchester United was planning an "audacious" attempt to sign Vieira; managerSir Alex Ferguson, a long-term admirer of the player, was given the green light by his board to make a bid.[40] In the summer period, Vieira disparaged Arsenal's transfer activity and was adamant the club would not finish "in the top five in the league – and forget the Champions League," saying about his future: "As far as I'm concerned, the matter is resolved. I am leaving Arsenal and I have made that perfectly clear."[41] The club refused to respond to his comments, but vice-chairmanDavid Dein was privately irked at Vieira's agent,Marc Roger, for letting the situation become unsettling.[42] Wenger attributed the saga at the hands of Manchester United: "[They] made an approach to Patrick without contacting us, and that does not really respect the rules."[43] Vieira turned up for pre-season training in July 2001 as normal, and was later named the club vice-captain, to ensure he would succeedTony Adams as captain.[44][45] Success finally came for Vieira in the2001–02 season; Arsenal regained the league and beat Chelsea in the2002 FA Cup Final to complete a second double.[46]
Adams' retirement in May 2002 meant Vieira became club captain. He described the feeling as "daunting", but it was something he looked forward to: "Taking the responsibility on my shoulders is something I relish. It will make me a better, more mature footballer and a more mature person as well."[47] Against Chelsea atStamford Bridge in September 2002, Vieira was sent off for a late tackle onGianfranco Zola; Arsenal's persistence nevertheless earnt them a point.[48] In an interview withL'Équipe soon after, Vieira spoke of his desire to rest, as he felt "burned out": "I can hardly stand. My back aches, my legs hurt, it hurts all over. I'm going to see Arsène. He must give me time off to relax."[49] He featured in 66 games the previous campaign for Arsenal, but Wenger rejected the player's need for special treatment: "I looked at the statistics for Tuesday's game and, physically, Patrick was outstanding. He pushed himself very hard and that explains why he was so tired."[49]
Vieira's performance against Charlton on 14 September 2002 – incidentally his 200th league appearance for Arsenal – "justified Wenger's faith in his captain's fitness".[50][51] Two months later, he was lauded byThe Guardian correspondent David Lacey for his show againstNewcastle United: "the Arsenal captain dominated the afternoon with a demonstration of tackling, control, awareness and movement that was exceptional even by his standards."[52] Vieira sustained a groin injury againstValencia in December 2002, returning on Boxing Day to faceWest Bromwich Albion.[53] In May 2003, Vieira was fined £2,300 by UEFA, having criticised the organisation for not doing enough on racism, as Vieira had been subjected to racist abuse against Valencia.[54] Vieira missed Arsenal's title run-in, which saw Manchester United overtake them in first place, due to sustaining a knee injury.[55] Vieira was also ruled out of the2003 FA Cup Final, which Arsenal won.[56]
Vieira (centre, on podium) lifting the Premier League trophy in May 2004.
In spite of growing interest to sign Vieira, not least from Manchester United,Real Madrid and Chelsea in summer 2003, he agreed to stay at Arsenal and signed a deal that ran until 2007.[57] The2003–04 season was a successful one for Arsenal, as they reclaimed the league title and became the first English team in more than a century to go through the entire league season unbeaten. Vieira endured a troubling start to the campaign, as he was sent off against Manchester United in September 2003, banned for one match, and later fined £20,000 "for improper conduct in failing to leave the field of play following his sending-off".[58] He went off with a thigh strain during the match against Newcastle United, which commenced a period of being in and out of the side for two months.[59] He scored his first goal of the season against Chelsea on 21 February 2004; Arsenal afterwards opened up a seven-point gap at the top of the league.[60] Two months later, Vieira scored the opening goal away toTottenham Hotspur, in what ended a 2–2 draw – enough for Arsenal to regain the title.[61] AgainstLeicester City in the final league match of the campaign, with the score tied at 1–1,Dennis Bergkamp set up Vieira with a pass, to which he rounded the goalkeeper and scored. Arsenal ended the campaign as league championswithout a single defeat – a record of 26 wins and twelve draws.[62]
The re-election of Real Madrid presidentFlorentino Pérez in July 2004 prompted him to declare the club's ambition to sign Vieira: "I must repeat that my policy is to try to sign the best player in the world in every position where we do not already have that. Patrick Vieira is, in my opinion, the best in the world in his position."[63] Vieira's advisors met with officials from Real Madrid, before it was speculated a bid of £18 million had been put on the table.[64][65] Following an ultimatum set by Wenger, who was "likely" to make an offer for West Ham midfielderMichael Carrick as his replacement, Vieira chose to stay at Arsenal.[66][67] In a statement, he said: "I'm staying at the club. I'm proud to be captain of the club and I'm looking forward to achieving my ambitions."[67]
Vieira scored his first goal of the 2004–05 season in a nine-goalNorth London derby, which Arsenal won 5–4 on 13 November 2004.[68] His second goal came in a fortnight at Liverpool, "lift[ing] a lazy, delicate finish away fromChris Kirkland" after a one-touch move.[69] Arsenal lost the match late on and Vieira, booked in the match, was suspended for the December clash against league leaders Chelsea; he scored the only goal for the team against Newcastle in the Christmas period.[70] Vieira was involved in a tunnel bust up with Manchester United captainRoy Keane in February 2005 and was confronted about an incident involvingGary Neville.[71][72] Arsenal fell to third as a result of losing 4–2 to United, but a twelve-game unbeaten run, culminating in a 7–0 home win againstEverton, meant they ended the season in second place.[73] In the2005 FA Cup Final, he scored the winning penalty in apenalty shoot-out after a 0–0 draw with Manchester United, which proved to be his final kick of a ball for Arsenal.[74] Vieira returned for the opening match ofEmirates Stadium, in atestimonial for Bergkamp on 22 July 2006, as one of the Arsenal legends against Ajax.[75]
In July 2005, representatives of Juventus met with Arsenal with a view to signing Vieira.[76] The player, according toThe Guardian, accepted that Arsenal were "ready to let him go", before agreeing in principle to join Juventus.[77] On 15 August, he signed a five-year contract, in a deal worth £13.75 million.[78] Vieira was reunited withFabio Capello, who had signed him for Milan as a teenager.[78] Capello described him as a "very important player", adding that "his presence is felt not only for his technical value but for his physical quality."[78] Capello deployed Vieira in a midfield alongsideEmerson andPavel Nedvěd. Vieira made his debut for Juventus in their 1–0 win againstChievo on 28 August 2005.[79] On 14 September, he was sent off againstClub Brugge, in Juventus' first match of the Champions League.[80]
Vieira scored his first goal for the club – a 37th-minute winner againstUdinese a week after – which contributed towards Juventus' impressive start to the season.[81] Having picked up a groin injury through international duty for France, Vieira missed Juventus' Champions League match away toBayern Munich in October 2005.[82] Despite his performances dipping as the result of a persistent groin injury, and a reported training ground bust-up with teammateZlatan Ibrahimović,[citation needed] Vieira helped Juventus retain theScudetto, which was later stripped. Vieira returned to Highbury on 28 March 2006 to play against Arsenal in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Champions League. During that game, he was the subject of a strong tackle by former club and national teammateRobert Pires. Vieira was left crestfallen as Pires regained possession and Arsenal attacked, scoring the first goal of the tie throughCesc Fàbregas. Pires humorously quipped that it was the first time in 13 years he had got the better of Vieira physically. Vieira also received ayellow card during that leg, which Arsenal won 2–0, and was suspended for the return leg on 5 April, which ended 0–0 and eliminated Juventus.[83]
Juventus were stripped of their 2004–05 and 2005–06 titles, after it was revealed they were involved in theCalciopoli scandal.[84] Juventus were relegated toSerie B and deducted 17 points by theItalian Football Federation (FIGC) for their involvement,[84] prompting many of the club's major stars to move elsewhere. After press speculation linking him to various clubs, including a move back to Arsenal, on 2 August 2006, Vieira officially signed a four-year deal withInter Milan, in a deal to be worth €9.5 million,[85] less than half of the €20 million fee Juventus had paid just twelve months prior.[86] Vieira declared he wanted to continue to play at the highest level at the presentation conference, which is his reason to leave Juventus.[87]
On his Inter debut on 26 August, Vieira scored twice as the team won 4–3 againstRoma in theSupercoppa Italiana at theSan Siro.[88] He later won the 2006–07, 2007–08 and 2008–09Serie A titles; due to injury, he failed to become a regular starter.Olivier Dacourt, initially a backup player, became managerRoberto Mancini's first choice player in the 2006–07 season. After the club signedSulley Muntari andThiago Motta, Vieira became of lesser and lesser importance to the team. In response to extensive media speculation regarding a possible return by Vieira to his former club in 2009, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger admitted that he would contemplate re-signing Vieira.[89] The move never happened, and Vieira remained at Inter. On 6 January 2010, Vieira was unusually included in the starting lineup against Chievo, which was his eighth league start of the season.[90] Before the match commenced, Inter had lostEsteban Cambiasso and Muntari due to injury, withDejan Stanković and Motta suspended.[91]José Mourinho stated that Vieira had played his last game at Inter after the match.[92]
On 8 January 2010, it was confirmed that Vieira was having a medical atManchester City, and he would sign a six-month deal, where he would link up with former Arsenal colleaguesKolo Touré andSylvinho, as well as former Inter manager Roberto Mancini. The contract also included an option for a twelve-month extension.[93] Mancini described Vieira as an excellent midfielder with a winner's mentality, and that he would fit into Manchester City's squad very well.[93] He made his debut on 6 February in the 2–1 defeat away toHull City, replacingCraig Bellamy after an hour. Three days later, he made his first start againstBolton Wanderers, where he assistedEmmanuel Adebayor through a long ball in the 2–0 victory. Later in the month, he was given a three-match retrospective ban for a kick atStoke City'sGlenn Whelan.[94] He scored his first goal for the club againstBurnley in a 6–1 win on 3 April 2010.[95]
On 9 June, Vieira agreed to a one-year extension to his contract, which kept him at Eastlands until the summer of 2011.[96] On 22 February 2011, Vieira scored the first two City goals in a 5–0 win in the FA Cup Fourth round replay againstNotts County, and was awarded Man of the Match honours.[97] He scored in the Premier League on 3 April againstSunderland, a minute after having come on as a substitute forAdam Johnson in the 5–0 win.[98] He made an added-time substitute appearance in place ofDavid Silva on 14 May, as Manchester City won the2011 FA Cup Final with a 1–0 win over Stoke atWembley.[99] On 14 July, he retired at the age of 35, immediately becoming a development executive at City.[100]
Vieira made his debut forFrance in 1997 against theNetherlands. Altogether, he won 107 caps for France, scoring six goals. He was part of the France squad in the1998 FIFA World Cup. He came on as a substitute in the final againstBrazil, and set up Arsenal teammate Emmanuel Petit for France's third goal in a 3–0 win.[101] He, with the rest of the squad, was appointed aKnight of the Legion of Honour in 1998.[102]
He subsequently played as a first choice midfield player in France's successful campaign atUEFA Euro 2000, which they won, beatingItaly in the final.[103] He helped France to victory in the2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, ending the tournament as joint top scorer with two goals, including the winner, a header, in the final againstJapan.[104][105] He also played in all three games in the2002 World Cup, in which France were eliminated in the group stage, failing to score a goal. Vieira was injured and missed France's defeat toGreece, the eventual winners, atEuro 2004.[106] After the tournament in Portugal, he became captain uponZinedine Zidane's retirement from international football.[107] In August 2005, he returned the armband as Zidane returned to the team.[108]
On 23 June 2006, his 30th birthday, Vieira took the captain's armband for the match in place of the suspended Zidane, and scored the first goal as France beatTogo 2–0 in the group stages of the 2006 World Cup; he also assistedThierry Henry for the second.[109] This win helped France advance to the knockout stages in second behindSwitzerland. In the round of 16, Vieira assisted the equaliser byFranck Ribéry and scored the second goal in a 3–1 win overSpain.[110] Vieira started the final, but was substituted injured forAlou Diarra as Italy won 5–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw.[111]
On 5 August 2006, Vieira was reappointed captain of the France national team for theEuro 2008 qualifying campaign following Zidane's full retirement.[112] He became the fifth Frenchman to earn100 caps on 15 November, in a 1–0 win over Greece at theStade de France.[113] He played no part in the group games at Euro 2008 for a struggling France due to a niggling knee injury.[114] His last cap with the national team was on 2 June 2009 in afriendly match againstNigeria, and was not included by coachRaymond Domenech in France's squad for the2010 World Cup in South Africa.[115] On 7 July 2010, Vieira confirmed that he was no longer interested in playing for France and would devote his time to Manchester City.[116]
Regarded by pundits as one of the best players ever in his position,[117][118][119][120] Vieira was a complete, powerful, tenacious and aggressive footballer, with outstanding physical, athletic and technical attributes, who was also known for his grace on the pitch when in possession of the ball.[121][122][123][124][125] Usually deployed as adefensive,central orbox-to-box midfielder, he was a competent tackler and a tactically intelligent midfielder, who was known for his ability to anticipate his opponents, and was gifted with good ball skills, distribution and vision, which enabled him to start attacking plays inmidfield after winning back possession;[121] he also excelled in the air,[126][127] and was known for his surging forward runs from midfield, which enabled him to contribute to his team's offensive play.[123] These attributes, in addition to his pace, strength, pressing ability and stamina allowed him to link up the defence with the attack effectively, and made him capable of playing anywhere in midfield.[123][128] In 2007,The Times placed him at number 33 in their list of the fifty hardest footballers in history.[129] In addition to his abilities as a footballer, he also stood out for his leadership throughout his career.[130]
On 14 July 2011, Vieira announced his retirement from playing and accepted a training and youth development role atPremier League clubManchester City, with the title of "Football Development Executive".[131][132] In this role, he forged a strong, close working relationship withCity Football Group'sBrian Marwood. In May 2013, Vieira was appointed as the manager of the club's new reserve team: the Elite Development Squad (EDS).[133] In May 2015, Vieira was interviewed to be the next manager of fellow Premier League clubNewcastle United, an opportunity which both parties rejected, due to difference of policies.[134]
On 9 November 2015, Vieira was announced as the new head coach ofNew York City FC - who share owners with Manchester City, in theCity Football Group - from 1 January 2016, replacing inaugural head coachJason Kreis.[135] He was selected for the role by Director of FootballClaudio Reyna, due to his familiarity with the structure of operations within the group, as well as his tactical knowledge, which was previously utilized by Jason Kreis on his scholar period inManchester. Vieira's first signing at the club wasJack Harrison, the first pick of the2016 MLS SuperDraft.[136] He took charge of his firstMajor League Soccer game on the road versusChicago Fire on 6 March 2016, in which his squad claimed a 4–3 victory. He led New York City to a 7-0 home defeat to New York Red Bulls on 21 May 2016. Despite losing in the conference semi-finals toToronto, 2016 was considered a successful first season for Vieira by nearly all pundits.[137][138][139][140] New York City improved its position in the combined MLS standings in each of his years with the club, improving from 17th in 2015 to fourth in Vieira's first season in 2016, and then to second in 2017.
On 11 June 2018, Vieira was appointed as the manager ofLigue 1 sideNice.[141] In his first season in charge, he led the club to a seventh-placed finish in the league, one place ahead of the club's position the previous season.[142] Elsewhere in the French domestic circuit, Nice had a disappointing run in theCoupe de France, being eliminated byToulouse in theround of 64,[143] whereas they were defeated byGuingamp in theround of 16 during theirCoupe de la Ligue campaign.[144] On 4 December 2020, Nice announced that Vieira was no longer the manager of the club, after a run of five losses in a row in all competitions, and elimination from the group stage of the Europa League.[145]
On 4 July 2021, Vieira was appointed as manager of Premier League clubCrystal Palace on a three-year contract, following the departure of their previous manager,Roy Hodgson, who had served the club since 2017.[146] He lost 3–0 away to Chelsea on his debut on 14 August.[147] In his first season, he was undefeated against to his two former Premier League teams, managing a 2–2 away draw and 3–0 home win against Arsenal,[148] and a 2–0 away win and 0–0 home draw against Manchester City.[149] He guided the team to a twelfth-place league finish in the2021–22 Premier League, and reached the semi-finals of theFA Cup, losing to Chelsea.[150]
Vieira was involved in an altercation with pitch-invading Everton fans on 19 May 2022 atGoodison Park. Vieira refused to comment on the event, while opposing managerFrank Lampard sympathised with him.[151] Neither Vieira or the fan agreed to file a complaint or support prosecution of the other when they were questioned byMerseyside Police.[152] Vieira was sacked by the club on 17 March 2023, after a twelve-game run without a win, including a three-game span without a single shot on target, left the team three points above the relegation zone.[153] His last match in charge was a 1–0 away defeat torivalsBrighton & Hove Albion on 15 March.[154] He was replaced by his predecessor Hodgson.[155]
On 2 July 2023, Vieira signed a three-year deal atLigue 1 clubStrasbourg, shortly after their takeover by Chelsea ownersBlueCo.[156] His debut on 13 August was a 2–1 home win overLyon.[157] From 24 September to 7 December, the team went on an eight-game winless run, which fans blamed on a summer transfer window in which four 20-year-olds were signed for a combined fee of €53 million but struggled to perform.[158] His team reached the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France, losing on penalties to Lyon after a goalless draw at theParc Olympique Lyonnais.[159] Vieira's young team struggled on the pitch as fans expressed hostility to the American owners and their business plan of developing new players for Chelsea.[160] On 18 July 2024, Vieira left the club by mutual agreement.[161]
On 20 November 2024, Vieira was announced as the new head coach ofGenoa, following the dismissal of their previous managerAlberto Gilardino.[162] Genoa was 17th in the table when Vieira took over, and only one point out of the relegation zone, but they ended the season finishing safely in 13th place. Despite being linked with managerial moves toRoma andInter Milan, on 9 June 2025 Vieira signed a contract extension with Genoa until June 2027.[163][164] On 1 November 2025, Vieira left his role as Genoa head coach by mutual consent, with the team bottom ofSerie A.[165]
Vieira has been known for implementing a methodical, possession-based football in all his teams. He has shown a tendency to become more defensive when his side are in a tight spot.[166][167] His spell at Crystal Palace saw a shift to a proactive style of gameplay from the reactive counterattack-based gameplay prominent under the management ofRoy Hodgson.[168]
Vieira and hisTrinidadian wife, Cheryl, first met in England while he was playing for Arsenal.[121] They have a daughter.[169] The family experienced a home invasion in May 2006, when gas was pumped into their home nearCannes, but suffered no long-term effects.[169] In 2003, Vieira returned to Senegal for the first time since his childhood, to lay the foundation stone of the Diambars football academy inSaly. The academy produced nine of the players in Senegal's squad at the2012 Olympic football tournament.[8]
^Lawton, Matt; Ley, John (25 May 2001)."Ferguson sets sights on Vieira".The Daily Telegraph. London.Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved23 March 2013.
^abdstorace (20 November 2024)."Comunicato Stampa - Vieira nuovo tecnico" [Press Release - Vieira new coach].Genoa Cricket and Football Club - Official Website (in Italian). Retrieved20 November 2024.
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