Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira says Arsene Wenger snubbed him for a backroom staff role at the club when he retired from the game four years ago.
SEE MORE:
Arsenal transfer gossip
Arsenal gossip: £32m playmaker ready for Gunners switch, Wenger to go for Gundogan plus much more
Arsene Wenger gives Arsenal injury update ahead of Hull clash
Vieira has been working with Manchester City since he hung up his boos in 2011 and last year was appointed the club’s U-21s coach.
However, given his long history with the Gunners, it was expected Vieira would have return to north London to begin his coaching career in the same vein as Thierry Henry recently has.
But the combative midfielder has revealed that whilst he would have jumped at the chance, Wenger never picked up the phone to ask him.
“Everywhere I go people ask me why Arsene didn’t give me the chance to work with him,” said Vieira to L’Equipe, translated by ESPN.
“It was out of the question to offer my services. Why would I have done it?
“When I stopped playing I had an offer from City, and I did not get any phone calls from Arsene.
“I gave Arsenal a great deal, just as the club and Arsene gave me a lot.”
It certainly seems like an opportunity missed for Arsenal given Vieira has impressed to such an extent he’s been touted as a successor to under-fire Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini next season.
However, he insists he hasn’t even considered such a scenario.
“There is a manager in place so I am not asking myself that question,” said Vieira, whose contract with City expires this season.
“I will soon talk to my bosses. Our relationship is excellent, and I feel very good at the club. Why not continue to flourish with the youth team?”
COMMENTS