Joe Roberts

Thu 29 June 2023 9:40, UK

Former Crystal Palace manager and current Leeds United target Patrick Vieira looks to be in pole position to join Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, according to L’Equipe.

The outlet reported (28 June) that while the French side are considering other managerial options including former Toulouse boss Philippe Montanier and former Union Saint-Gilloise coach Karel Geraerts, the World Cup winner is a priority for Strasbourg.

Vieira was sacked from Palace in March following a winless run stretching to the beginning of 2023, but has been shortlisted by Leeds to fill their vacant manager position in the Championship [The Guardian].

Something to prove?

Many saw Vieira’s sacking from Crystal Palace as harsh. However, a three-month winless run put Palace in relegation form and saw Vieira leave Selhurst Park seemingly as quickly as he arrived. The former Nice manager may feel like he has something to prove. But would he, or could he, prove it in the English second division?

Vieira has no experience as a Championship manager, and Leeds United’s goal for next season will no doubt be promotion back to the top flight.

The Championship can be a pressure cooker, especially for a club the size of Leeds, so soon-to-be-announced ownership group 49ers Enterprises may want more knowledgeable hands at the wheel if they want promotion.

Vieira also already has Ligue 1 experience with Nice and may be looking for a lower-profile job to re-establish his promising managerial career while delays over the 49er’s takeover of the club may sway Vieira into taking the hot seat at the Todd Boehly-owned side instead.

Leeds will also need wins if they are to secure promotion, and Vieira’s uninspiring win-percentage at his former clubs won’t do him many favours. MLS side New York City was Vieira’s most successful spell based on this metric, with a 44.44% win percentage.

Meanwhile, former Norwich manager Daniel Farke is also in contention to come to Elland Road. Farke can boast a Championship title in the 2018/19 season, as well as Premier League experience with the same club. On paper, Farke seems to be the safer, and currently more likely option.

That being said, Vieira himself brings a philosophy which may be appealing to Leeds. He produced some of Crystal Palace’s best Premier League football in his first season at Selhurst Park with free-flowing attacking football.

While this fizzled out towards the end of his tenure, Leeds may be in the mood to take a risk on the Frenchman. But if they do, they’ll have to act quickly.

In other Leeds United news, Sam Greenwood sends five-word message to departing youngster.