Pat plots a double over Pep

EXCLUSIVE

NINE years ago, the belief at Manchester City was that Patrick Vieira would eventually become manager at the Etihad.

Tomorrow night the Frenchman (above) has the chance to do the double over Pep Guardiola and show his former club their confidence that he had all the ingredients to one day boss the Blues was not unfounded.

Vieira, 45, was made boss of City’s elite development squad in

2013 after spending two years learning all about the inner workings of the club from boardroom to dressing room.

Roberto Mancini had been sacked after losing the FA Cup Final to Wigan and the plan was for Vieira to be groomed for the most senior coaching position at the club.

A two-and-a-half year stint in charge of sister club New York City in the MLS followed.

And even when Vieira left the City Football Group to take up an offer from Nice in June 2018, there were still high-level sources inside the club who felt he could return to the Etihad.

He did, last October – as manager of Crystal Palace – and the Eagles sentenced the Premier League champions to their first home defeat of the season by winning 2-0, thanks to goals by Wilfried Zaha and Conor Gallagher.

“Good strong defence, three midfielders defending and winning duels, winning the ball, blocks and then using the counter with Zaha and fast players,” said Guardiola.

“But Palace have very good players. When they get the ball, they keep it and want to play. I knew how difficult they are.”

Privately, the City boss was even more generous in praise of Vieira’s side.

Ahead of tomorrow’s game at Selhurst Park he give Kevin De Bruyne,

Jack Grealish and Joao Cancelo the night off when City confirmed their progress into the Champions League quarter-finals against Sporting Lisbon in midweek.

And Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva played just 45 minutes.