Simon Jordan feels Crystal Palace are taking a big risk appointing former Premier League winner Patrick Vieira, telling talkSPORT (29 June, 12:00pm) that ex-Chelsea boss Frank Lampard may be a better fit.
Earlier in June, when Lucien Favre looked set to sign on the dotted line at Selhurst Park, the Guardian reported that his commitment to exciting, attacking football had Steve Parish grinning from ear to ear.
It seemed, at the time, that the Crystal Palace chairman wanted to move on from the stodgy stability of the Roy Hodgson era and bring in a manager who was more purist than pragmatist.
So why on earth have the Eagles suddenly settled on Vieira, a man whose Nice side would make Hodgson’s Palace look like Guardiola’s Barcelona?
Maybe it’s panic.
Pre-season training is due to get underway next week, by which point Crystal Palace might have lost a staggering eleven first-team players due to expiring contracts.
After missing out on Favre, not to mention Nuno Espirito Santo, time is running out fast. And a paucity of other options appears to have thrust Vieira into pole position; much to the bemusement of a former Palace owner.
Frank Lampard over Patrick Vieira for Crystal Palace?
“This, for me, is a very brave decision,” Jordan said, suggesting that Crystal Palace should have thrown their weight behind another legendary Premier League midfielder.
“(Vieira) is not experienced in managerial terms. It’s a risk. If I was taking that risk and knocking down the road of available managers, I’d be making more of a move for a Frank Lampard.
“Palace are in a state of flux. Their roster of managers has been safe and sound with one departure in Frank de Boer,” Jordan added, pointing out that Vieira goes against the club’s tendency to prioritise top-flight veterans a la Sam Allardyce, Tony Pulis, Alan Pardew and Roy Hodgson.
“This is a vast departure. Whether it is foolishly brave, time will tell. I’d be surprised if it happens and I think if it is offered to Patrick Vieira he will pull their arm off at their shoulder.”
Vieira was sacked by Nice in December following growing discontent amongst the Allianz Riviera fanbase.
And, even when leading Nice to an impressive seventh-place finish in 2019, his side scored just 30 goals in 38 games.
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