Arsene Wenger has tipped former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira as a future manager of the club.
The former France international is currently manager at Ligue 1 club Nice, having previously spent two years as head coach of MLS side New York City.
Vieira has overcome a difficult start in France, including the mid-season departure of star forward Mario Balotelli, to steady the ship at Nice who currently sit 9th.
Wenger, who signed Vieira during his 22-year reign at Arsenal, says his former player has all the credentials to be a future manager of the club.
“I see him as the Arsenal coach one day because he is too young to go directly into international football,” Wenger told The Times.
“His life will go through club football. He has constructed his career intelligently and patiently.
”He left when he was young, and he has taken time to mature and learn his profession. And something you can’t give; he has a natural charisma, he is both elegant and authoritative.
“He has passed through a difficult time at Nice but he showed no signs of weakness. It is in times of crisis you see the coach. You look at the number of points and it is exceptional.”
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