NEW ’TRICK
If United boss survives, he could one day face Vieira in a Manchester derby
Born June 23, 1976, Dakar, Senegal PLAYING CAREER 1994-1995 1995-1996 AC 1996-2005 2005-2006 2006-2010 2010-2011
IT IS early in his managerial journey to be touted not only as a possible successor to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City but also as a future Arsenal coach.
Yet such is the impact Patrick Vieira has had in 11 games in charge of Crystal Palace just about the only job he is not being linked with in the future is the one he is in now.
Vieira’s status as the shiniest collectable in the top flight will no doubt amuse the longestserving Premier League boss Sean Dyche when the two meet this weekend.
There will, however, be respect for his work in taking over and reviving what looked like a declining team from Roy Hodgson.
Vieira has energised Palace by placing faith in youth as well as demanding more from his squad in terms of pressing.
Never was that more evident than when Guardiola’s side were outpressed and outscored 2-0 at the Etihad at the end of last month – an audition which pleased the City hierarchy.
And while 11 games is light on experience, his overnight success has been
10 years in the making, with lessons learned from some of the greats in the game.
There have been Jose Mourinho’s “amazing training sessions”, Manuel Pellegrini’s planning and preparation and Guardiola’s detail and exacting standards.
Yet the greatest influence on his career to date has come from Brian Marwood (inset),
managing director of City Football Group, who started him on the path.
“The thing about Patrick is that he is a sponge for information. He always wanted to learn,” said Marwood. “If you think about the mentors he had as a player, you’re talking about some of the best managers in the world.
“But he always knew that he would take bits and pieces from those people but he also had to stamp his own personality on that.” Vieira has
INTER MILAN Champions League: 2009-10
Serie A: 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10
MAN CITY pieced together an impressive patchwork using the best bits of managerial and playing greats but stitched together by his own unique style.
He shadowed Marwood in marketing and finance, clocking long hours which were noticed by City’s board.
He drove himself to learn communication through his ambassadorial role with highlevel club sponsors when he finished playing.
He videoed his own team-talks early as manager at New York City FC – part of Manchester City’s global empire – in order to self-critique and make sure he was not giving a confusing message.
Those two and half years between taking over in January 2016 and leaving the MLS in June 2018 did most to shape Vieira.
Based in an apartment overlooking Central Park, he galvanised a club from underachiever to contender with attacking, high-pressing football.
Crucially a staff of 120 at the club allowed him to forge personal relationships with everyone.
Those who worked with him say whether they were cleaning, serving food or signing cheques, Vieira treated everyone the same and made it his mission to go to every staff event.
Insiders admit he was not afraid to let people know when standards fell below expectations but never with a raised voice or cross word.
He struggled initially in a league where managers are routinely mic’d up, cameras are everywhere and journalists are invited into locker rooms but he has learned to be a consummate communicator because of it.
Vieira is still in the early stages of his Premier League career but with a six-match unbeaten run, back-to-back wins over City and Wolves and only two defeats, to Chelsea and Liverpool, it is stacking up well. The progress is being tracked by plenty, too.