Forget my on-field feats, says Nice’s Vieira

NEW Nice coach Patrick Vieira insists he does not want to be judged on his glittering playing career after taking over the hotseat at the Ligue 1 club.

The former Arsenal skipper left his post as head coach of Major League Soccer side New York City FC to replace Lucien Favre at the Allianz Riviera.

41-year-old Frenchman Vieira had been linked with replacing Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, but he now returns to his homeland to take charge of a Nice side that finished eighth last season.

After joining the Gunners in 1996, Vieira won three Premier League titles, including captaining them in their unbeaten ‘Invincibles’ campaign of 2003/04.

He also won four successive Serie A titles at Inter Milan before lifting a fourth FA Cup of his career having returned to England with Manchester City.

Add to that a 1998 World Cup winners’ medal and success at Euro 2000 and Vieira’s career is one that many will remember.

But he said: “My career as a player no longer counts, it’s the past. The important thing is to have a clear idea of what I want from players, a game scheme for them to express themselves, because the talent is there.” • MANCHESTER City assistant manager Domenec Torrent has left his position to become New York City FC’s new manager.