Newcastle United have reportedly chosen Patrick Vieira as Rafael Benitez’s potential replacement after one season of Ligue 1 football.
Newcastle United could be about to hit a brick wall in their pursuit of Rafa Benitez’s replacement with Ligue 1 outfit Nice working hard to tie Patrick Vieira down to a new contract, according to the Northern Echo.
The Magpies announced a week ago that the popular Benitez would be walking away when his contract expires after three-and-a-half years of consistent overachievement in light of Mike Ashley’s continued lack of investment.
It seems that Newcastle are looking to succeed the veteran Spaniard with a talented young coach with the likes of Steven Gerrard, Eddie Howe, Mikel Arteta and 43-year-old Vieira in the frame.
The Echo points out that there are a number of clauses in Vieira’s contract at Nice which would make it rather easy for Newcastle to get their man.
As a result, the Riviera outfit are keen to tie the former Arsenal captain down to fresh terms. This could blow Newcastle out of the water with Nice apparently willing to offer him more money than he’d likely earn at St James’ Park.
Whether Vieira is even the right man for Newcastle remains to be seen.
He has had just one season in a competitive European league and finished seventh. Yes, Nice are a shadow of the team who thrilled under Lucian Favre two years ago but the poor quality of football and questionable man-management, particularly the Mario Balotelli saga, hardy reflected well on Vieira.
In truth, it is too early to judge what kind of manager he really is.
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