After a season of exceptional attacking additions New York City Football Club decided a former midfielder is the person that is needed to get them over the top. On Monday the club announced that Patrick Vieira has been named head coach of the second year squad.
Vieira’s contract will be for three years starting on January the 1st. Exact monetary terms were not disclosed which is standard league policy. He is replacing Jason Kreis who was fired after just one season with NYCFC. Prior to signing Vieira NYCFC had reportedly flirted with former England manager Fabio Capello.
Considered to be one of the greatest midfielders of his era. Vieira has had a long storied career at some of the top clubs in Europe. Vieira’s seventeen year professional career included stints with AC Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan, Arsenal, and Manchester City. In his club career he won three Serie A titles (all with Milan,) three English Premier League titles (all with Arsenal,) and five FA Cup titles (four with Arsenal, one with City). He was won the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship with France.
In a statement released to the public NYCFC President Tom Glick said, “he open position of head coach at New York City FC has prompted significant interest and I have no doubt that in Patrick, we have one of the most impressive young coaches I have encountered. Patrick’s ability, vision and the respect in which he is held by everyone who works with him, speaks volumes for his character and capacity to succeed.”
After making several high-profile signings in the lead up to their inaugural season, expectations within NYCFC’s management were that the club would make the MLS Cup Playoffs in their first season. Things started out and ended good for the club with the team winning their first home match and ending the season with on a 3-3-0 run.
Sandwiched in between these minor successes though were periods of difficult play, particularly on the defense. Injuries and a lack of depth contributed to a league-high 58 goals during their inaugural campaign. At times the club was forced to play two rookies, Shay Facey and R.J, Allen, along the back four.
There seems to be three motivating factors behind the Vieira addition. The first is that he does have experience in the City Football Group system. Vieira has served as the reserve coach of Manchester City for the past two and a half seasons. The club finished in the top four during the 2013-2014 campaign in the Professional U-21 Development League. He also led their U-19 side into the round of 16 in the 2013-2014 UEFA Youth League.
Second, the club’s lack of defending prompted a need to bring in a coach with a more defensive mindset. In his prime Vieira was known for his tough, physical defending. At times last NYCFC defense looked lost on the pitch, unable to make even simple stops in matches. The club had just four shutouts last season which was the lowest among any team in the league last season. Given Vieira’s experience with Manchester City’s youth players and his work with his youth academy in Senegal he should help with Allen and Facey’s development.
Third, he is a former teammate of Pirlo and Lampard and thus should have experience in trying to get the most out of each player. Although the duo seemed to iron out their different playing styles some at the end of the season their were still issues with the passes being missed at the end of the season.
All of that being said this move is a gamble for Vieira. He has no experience in Major League Soccer and given the quick trigger finger of NYCFC management his stay might be cut short if results are not met early. Ex-players and managers who have no experience in MLS have also struggled to adapt to the league’s byzantine rules and different style of play. Ruud Gullit’s adventure with the Los Angeles Galaxy immediately springs to mind.
The other curious part of this deal is why Vieira is waiting until January the 1st to come to the United States. Given that the MLS Supplemental Draft will be next month it appears that Vieira will not be present to oversee the moves that the team will make.
