Patrick Vieira's New Premier League Challenge With Crystal Palace

Patrick Vieira tries a new challenge in the Premier League with Crystal Palace (photo: ANTARA/REUTERS/ERIC GAILLARD)

JAKARTA – Patrick Vieira has finally agreed to coach Crystal Palace from next season. The former Arsenal midfielder got a new three-year contract to replace Roy Hodgson, on Sunday, July 4.

Hodgson was forced to leave his boyhood club at the end of last season. He has been in charge of Crystal Palace for four seasons and last brought the club to 14th place in the Premier League last season.

Previously, Vieira coached French Ligue 1 club Nice for two and a half years before being sacked in December last year.

"I am very happy to have the opportunity to return to the Premier League, and to coach this great football club, as we begin a new chapter together," Vieira said in a statement following his appointment.

"This is a very exciting project for me, having spoken a lot with the chairman (Steve Parish) and sporting director (Dougie Freedman) about their ambitions and plans for this club, including the Academy."

"This club has a fantastic foundation after so many years in the Premier League, and I hope we can make further improvements and continue to push the club forward," added the former Arsenal captain.

Vieira previously also managed Major League Soccer (MLS) club New York City from 2016 to 2018. This is Vieira's first senior managerial stint in England after working at Manchester City's academy as a football development executive.

His first priority at Palace is overseeing a first-team overhaul, with a total of 11 players from last season out of contract at the end of June. Among the players is winger Andros Townsend.

Another challenge for Vieira will be deciding the future of their key player Wilfried Zaha, who reiterated his desire to move at the end of last season.

"We have a lot to prepare for in the coming weeks and I look forward to working with Patrick and Dougie in bringing in some new faces to help us all lead to a successful season," said Parish.