Strasbourg, the French Ligue 1 club, have officially announced the appointment of Patrick Vieira as their new head coach. The former Arsenal and France midfielder, who was let go by Crystal Palace in March, has signed a three-year contract with the club.
Vieira’s appointment surprises many, as he had been linked with Leeds, which was recently relegated to England’s second tier. However, Vieira chose to return to France, where he previously managed Nice, to join Strasbourg, a club recently bought by Chelsea’s parent company, BlueCo.
— Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace (@RCSA) July 2, 2023
In his first words as Strasbourg’s head coach, Vieira expressed his excitement and understanding of the club’s history and identity. “I know the history and the identity of this club, the fervour it arouses, the importance it has for its territory, land of football and passion,” the 47-year-old Vieira said. “Today, a new cycle begins for Racing and it is exciting for a coach to be able to build something.“
