SELHURST SPLIT
Sacked Vieira claims Palace didn’t support him, especially over transfers Club irked by manager’s poor communication and insist he wasn’t up for fight
CRYSTAL PALACE had trouble reaching Patrick Vieira on thursday just hours after defeat by Brighton — perhaps he knew what was coming.
those in charge have found communicating with Vieira increasingly difficult in recent weeks, with thursday’s initial silence from the Frenchman not an isolated incident.
chairman steve Parish thought it was necessary to chat things through with his beleaguered manager — Palace have not won a single game in 2023 after all.
as the dust from the Brighton defeat settled all options were on the table. sacking Vieira was the most probable conclusion — though other insiders insist the prospect of giving the 46-year-old a final chance to halt his team’s alarming slide at of all places arsenal — remained on the table.
When the pair finally spoke at about 7am yesterday, as Vieira prepared to take his team’s penultimate training session ahead of tomorrow’s visit to the emirates, any chance the manager had of keeping his job had vanished.
On thursday, Parish wanted an opportunity to gauge where Vieira’s head was at. He wanted to sense if the fire was still burning. By Friday, there was only one outcome. When they finally spoke, the discussion was frank.
Vieira believes he’s not been supported, in more ways than just the transfer market. He was also believed to be angered that news of his sacking was delivered via a phone call, feeling the act should have been done face-to-face.
On the other hand, Palace have been irked by what they view as a lack of willingness to communicate from Vieira in recent weeks — including after the defeat by aston Villa earlier this month.
the now departed Palace boss didn’t speak to his players after the 1-0 defeat at Villa Park. His silence extended into the start of the following week, compounding the growing disconnect between manager and boardroom.
Vieira is believed to be disappointed that the club have not been more forthcoming with regards to offering him a new contract. His deal was expiring at the end of next season.
It has been indicated to Sportsmail that the club were preparing to open talks over a deal after the World cup. But Palace’s form since then meant those discussions were impossible.
For weeks there has been deep concern about Vieira’s waning morale. the club’s dreadful form hit him hard. He has been low and the defeat by Brighton arrived as another crushing blow to his mood.
yesterday morning, all parties agreed that there was no future in this once burgeoning relationship and Vieira was dismissed.
He is a laid-back guy and has tried to implement a relaxed atmosphere at the club’s Beckenham HQ. But Palace are in the middle of a relegation battle. this is no time for relaxation.
Indeed, there has been consternation that the culture Vieira has been trying to nurture is not one suitable for a club of Palace’s dynamics. sometimes home truths are necessary. sometimes only a rollocking will suffice. there wasn’t much of that under Vieira.
Of course, Vieira has experienced first hand exactly what a chilled environment can garner. arsene Wenger actively avoided confrontation with his players.
But it is easy to be chilled when you’ve got Vieira, Dennis Bergkamp, thierry Henry and robert Pires in your team. Palace do not have that luxury.
Indeed, Vieira’s decision to dispense of assistant coach shaun Derry has been viewed as a mistake behind the scenes.
It is important to point out that Derry wasn’t appointed by Vieira. Derry, a former Palace player, is a forthright individual. an entirely friendly and approachable guy off the pitch — but fierce when it comes to his football. He would engage in difficult conversations with players he felt were not pulling their weight.
But Vieira did not appreciate his intense nature. there was a personality clash and Vieira told Derry his services were no longer required about six weeks ago. Don’t be surprised to see Derry make a return to the club.
Vieira believed his own team of Osian roberts, Kristian Wilson and said aigoun were enough. But fears that his coaching staff lacked the experience to halt the team’s alarming slide towards relegation danger grew with every disappointing result.
Derry is also at the start of his coaching career but there is a view that his inclination to call it as it is would have benefited the team.
It must also be stressed that Vieira was never first choice. For one reason or another Palace failed to tempt a string of managers, including lucien Favre, Nuno espirito santo and steve cooper, to replace roy Hodgson at the start of last season.
Vieira’s first season in charge was a success. an Fa cup semi-final coupled with what appeared to be a more attractive style of play instilled positivity.
yet, even last season, there were concerns about Vieira’s plan. Palace were mechanical under Hodgson — not necessarily easy on the eye — but everyone knew their jobs and there was a clear pattern to his teams.
Under Vieira, Palace were more spontaneous, relying on the brilliance of their attacking players — namely Wilfried Zaha — to get them results.
there are many at selhurst Park who still pine for Hodgson’s regimented style of play. Hodgson is retired — but available.
It will be interesting to see in what direction Palace head now.