Manchester City still planning for Patrick Vieira to return as manager at the Etihad

Succession: Vieira heads for an American adventure on January 1
The Frenchman will join sister club New York City FC on January 1, having agreed to stay under the City Football Group umbrella/Manchester Evening News

ADVERTISING

Manchester City are still hopeful that Patrick Vieira will return to the club in the future, as manager of the first team.

The Frenchman recently agreed a deal to take over as head coach of New York City FC, leaving his position as manager of the Premier League side's elite development squad.

His role with NYCFC, who parted company with Jason Kreis after a disappointing debut season in MLS, begins on January 1.

Vieira had been linked with other roles - most notably at former club Arsenal - but having initially been sceptical about moving to City's sister club, agreed to remain under the City Football umbrella.

The 39-year-old is rated highly by the club's owners who believe that a spell in New York could be the making of him as a coach.

Patrick Vieira arrives at NYCFC: And while Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola is widely seen as the club's chosen succession plan to current chief Manuel Pellegrini, bosses are still planning for Vieira to take the reins at some point.

"We wanted to find the next development stage for Patrick [Vieira] and it was still as part of the City Football Group," said Brian Marwood, managing director of City Football Services.

"That opportunity came about in New York and I think it's exactly the next step he needs.

ADVERTISING

"Hopefully he'll come back at some point and manage Manchester City. That's the ambition for him and for us."