POTTER: PAT CAN MAKE IT
GRAHAM POTTER says former Invincible Patrick Vieira could become an even better manager than he was a player.
And the Brighton boss reckons football needs more legendary ex-pros like Vieira moving into management.
The Seagulls take on Vieira’s Crystal Palace tonight, with Potter’s team set to go top of the league with a win.
But he is convinced that in the long term, his opposite number can have an even more successful career in the dug-out than he had on the pitch.
Potter said: “There’s nothing stopping him at all.
“You have good days and bad days. You have failures. It’s how you deal with them. Keep going. Keep improving.
“But Patrick has shown those characteristics all his career. He can apply them to management
I’m sure. I’ve no doubt he’s going to be a fantastic coach.”
Potter claims big-name players like the former Arsenal icon, and Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard who is now Rangers boss, deserve credit for taking the leap.
Potter said: “They’ve experienced the game at the very highest level so they have the potential to be fantastic coaches.
Credit
“Credit to them. They are putting themselves there to be shot at or to fail. Just because you’ve been a top player doesn’t mean you’ll be a top coach.”
Vieira needs a win tonight to move away from the danger zone and he wants Odsonne Edouard to learn from Brighton’s Neal Maupay as he makes his way in the Premier League.
Edouard has already made his mark following his move from Celtic, scoring twice from the bench on his debut against Tottenham.
The French striker is pressing for his first Palace start and Vieira points to Maupay as an example of the qualities needed.
The Palace boss said: “I think Maupay’s experience in the last couple of years shows his determination.
“Moving to a different country, and the Premier League, Odsonne needs time to adapt.
“We will take our time to make him feel comfortable.”