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Interview

Vieira: “Some projects just can’t be refused”

11 juin 2018, 23h00

Arriving in Nice late this morning, Patrick Vieira held his first press conference as coach of OGC Nice. “Happy”, the former captain of the French National side explained his choice to join the Nice project. With humility and ambition, the former New York City coach also detailed the way he likes to play and his method.  

Leaving Manchester City 

“After 8 years in the City group (Manchester City then New-York City FC, Editor’s Note), it was difficult to leave, but there are some projects that you just can’t refuse. Here, everything has come together so that I can work well. I know that I will have the support of the people at the club. I thank the people at City for their understanding, because it’s not easy to let a coach go during the season.” 

The choice of OGC Nice 

“There is really everything you need to prepare the players and to work well. We are in extraordinary conditions. I can’t ask for more. I am happy, delighted. This is what I was looking for. I will work with passionate people, who will support me in the good and the bad times. They will be behind me: it gives me the confidence to work calmly and to give my best for the club.” 

The fervour of Nice 

“There is excitement. I watched the Gym’s last home games: the passion, the fervour are there. What pleases me is the relationship between the players and supporters. Unfortunately, it’s becoming more and more rare in football, but at Nice, it’s still there. We need to keep it. It’s important to feel this positive pressure from the fans, it will push the players on to improve and give their all.” 

The return to France

“I am very happy to come back. I left France when I was 19-20 years old, but I have always followed the news and the evolution of Ligue 1, which is a competition that is becoming more and more difficult. I am really looking forward to starting. To be back in L1 was an objective. All of the conditions are here for me to work well.” 

“To help the players to express their talent”

 

His past as a player  

“My career as a player doesn’t count anymore, it’s part of the past. Of course, I know the sacrifices that you need to make to succeed and I can guide the young players. My career will allow me to win 3 months... But the important thing is to win the confidence of the players, by giving them clear instructions through the message we give them. I hope to help them to express themselves, because I know that the talent is there.”

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The planned style 

“The bar is pretty high because Nice have played very well with the ball in recent years. It’s important to keep this philosophy, creating a style focused on going forward, where the players express their talent. I could put 2-3 ideas into place, but it will be a continuation of what has been done in recent years.”

The young project 

“To go and see the youngsters play, then to integrate them and to give them a chance to play with the first team, that is part of the project. It’s the image of the club.”

His style

“In the last 3-4 years, I have learned to know myself. I have my personality. I observed a lot and learned from the coaches I had. But the important thing is that I am myself, with my faults and my qualities.”  

His staff 

“3 people come with me: a fitness coach, an assistant coach, and a coach who will work individually with the players. But it’s very important that former staff form part of the coaching team, and it will continue that way. It will allow me to win a few months. These people represent the spirit, the heart of the club. I am counting on them to share their Ligue 1 experience with me.”

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Patrick Vieira