patrick vieira manager
Team news?
With Michael Olise – we were off yesterday and today, so we have to wait until tomorrow. But, yes, we took him off early in the [Newcastle] game as he wasn’t feeling 100 per cent. The rest of the side is good, Luka [Milivojevic] is still training, and he will train tomorrow with the team.
What do you make of Leeds?
They’re a good side. They, like the majority of the teams in the Premier League, play with a lot of energy. They have pace, and they have got a new manager with a different philosophy, but they’ve been doing well, so we expect a challenging game.
What is your relationship like with Jesse Marsch?
He was in New York Red Bulls, and I was at New York City. We had some challenging games. That was a derby in the MLS, and I look forward to seeing him again, we have a really good respect and relationship.
Fiery moments?
This is (because of) the derby. It was tense, but otherwise, we have a lot of respect.
Three losses in a row, important to get back to winning ways?
This is the Premier League – it’s about being consistent with performances and results. We had ups and downs in the season, but we’ve always managed to bounce back, to find a way to play better and win games. Lately, the results are not what we expected, but when we look at the performances, we had some really good periods in those games. But it wasn’t good enough. We have to play better, and we have to play more together as a team for the 95 minutes to allow ourselves to be better.
What do you make of Erik Ten Hag?
I don’t have much comment to make, and it’s like everyone else to wish him a welcome to the Premier League.
Someone you’ve seen as a manager?
He’s proved fantastically well the way he’s been playing with Ajax and his record in the Champions League. In the last few years, they are a team that has developed better football in the Champions League. I wish him all the best.
What have you said to your players since Newcastle?
They know themselves that, especially in the first half against Newcastle, we didn’t start the game in the right way. Then after we were much better in the second half with more determination and more togetherness, and we matched Newcastle’s level of competitiveness. The team and players themselves were not happy with the way we started the game. We have to start in a different way and try to keep it for 95 minutes. I wasn’t happy with the first-half performance.
Do home matches make a difference in getting to better levels?
We don’t have any doubt about the atmosphere when we play at home. I know the fans will be there to give us what we need to perform, but the fans can only do one half, we have to do the other half. We have to go on the field with that desire and competitiveness we know we can develop. That will allow us to have more chance of winning the game. We’re going through that process. The FA cup vs Chelsea will take a lot for us to digest, we have to find a way to keep going to the end of the season, and the players will do that.
Jesse Marsch, rivalry with Roy Keane, certain individuals who wind you up?
No, not at all. I’m quite really calm when I am on the bench, so that is just the rivalry between two managers who want to win the game by showing passion. It was different in his team and my team. There was disagreement with some of the decisions, but it’s all about passion.
No personal score to settle?
No, not at all.
Impressed with Marsch?
I wasn’t surprised at all as I didn’t have any doubt about his quality as a manager. He was different in the MLS, he went to the Red Bull family, now in the Premier League, and I think he deserves a lot of credit, he’s worked hard to get where he is. You always have this pressure on you when you come into the Premier League, and it’s about proving people wrong. That pressure was on me, this is what we have to live with. He believes in himself and knows how good he is, and it’s about us getting the best from our players.
Is coachingin Europe important rather than making a direct jump from MLS to Premier League?
It’s about what offers are on the table and the individual, how you want to progress and see the next step you need. For being in the MLS, I was always dreaming to come to the Premier League. I needed a step in between, Nice was a good opportunity.
How did it feel being inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame?
It felt good. It was a lovely evening, and seeing the players, looking back at my career and what I achieved, was a proud moment surrounded by my family. It was good to be recognised as one of the players who had an impact in the Premier League.
