Just days after British media reports linked him to the Arsenal job, Patrick Vieira is being connected to the manager’s post at another English Premier League club.
Metro.co.uk reported on Saturday that Everton FC are considering New York City FC’s head coach as the successor to their current boss Sam Allardyce.
Allardyce arrived in November and ran up a winning record to ensure that the Toffees steered clear of relegation trouble, even finishing in the top half of the EPL table. But his direct, pragmatic style of play has rubbed some fans the wrong way, and apparently the same can be said for majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri.
“Moshiri, who until 2016 held a significant stake in Arsenal, is a keen admirer of Vieira’s and intends to appoint a young, dynamic coach in the close season,” writes Metro.co.uk’s James Goldman.
A powerful central midfielder for Arsenal during the prime of his playing days, Vieira has transformed NYCFC’s fortunes since his arrival ahead of the 2016 season, leading the club to back-to-back MLS Cup Playoffs appearances and a strong start to the current campaign.
He’s spent the entirety of his coaching career to date under the umbrella of the City Football Group, the parent organization of NYCFC, Manchester City and their network of affiliate clubs around the globe. But the report suggests that CFG would give their blessing if Vieira is interested in the Everton job.
“[Vieira] has long been earmarked for a senior position within the Manchester City Football group, but Metro.co.uk understands the Premier League champions would not stand in Vieira’s way should he wish to return to England with another club,” writes Goldman.
