Patrick Vieira appointed Crystal Palace manager – Frenchman signs three-year deal

Crystal Palace have appointed Patrick Vieira as their new manager on a three-year deal.

The former Arsenal captain, who led the Gunners to the Premier League title in 2004, had been out of work since December 2020 after his sacking from Nice.

The appointment of Vieira brings Palace’s prolonged hunt for a new manager to a close after Roy Hodgson walked away from the job at the end of last season.

Vieira said:  “I am really excited to have this opportunity to return to the Premier League, and manage this great football club, as we begin a new chapter together.

“It is a project that is really appealing to me, having spoken a lot with the chairman and sporting director about their ambition and plans for the whole club, including the academy.

“The club has fantastic foundations in place after many years in the Premier League, and I hope we can make further improvements and continue to drive the club forward.

“I am also very excited to experience the atmosphere the club’s supporters make at Selhurst Park and away from home too, and I know just how important that can be for the team.”

The former France international started his managerial career with Manchester City, managing their youth and reserve teams for four years.

Vieira then moved to New York City FC and improved their position in the table every season during his two and a half years at the club.

Despite qualifying for the Europa League in his second season in charge of Nice, Vieira was sacked midway through the following campaign with the club 11th in the Ligue 1 table.

With the Eagles embarking on their ninth consecutive season in the top-flight, Vieira’s first task will be replenishing a squad that has lost Patrick van Aanholt, Mamadou Sakho, Scott Dann and Wayne Hennessey on free transfers.

Steve Parish added: “I’m delighted and excited that Patrick has agreed to join Crystal Palace as our manager following successfully learning his trade at the City Group, and experiencing positive managerial spells at New York City and then Nice, who he led to the Europa League.

“We have a lot to do to prepare in the coming weeks and I look forward to working closely with Patrick and Dougie in bringing in some new faces to help us all to a successful season.”

Vieira’s first game in charge will be against League One side Portsmouth at St. George’s Park on July 16, kicking off Palace’s pre-season.