Patrick Vieira, Football Development Executive

[Alioune DVToure]

From mcfc.co.uk

Manchester City is delighted to announce that Patrick Vieira has accepted the newly created position of Football Development Executive with the club.

The World Cup winner will have a wide ranging role, helping to deliver the club's social responsibility programme, both in the UK and abroad, as well as working closely with City's commercial partners.

He will also take an active role in the development of youngsters at the Platt Lane complex, providing mentoring support as part of the Academy's Multiskills Programme, which seeks to provide a well-rounded lifestyle education for the club's junior players.

35-year old Patrick, who has retired from professional football to concentrate on this new role, joined Manchester City in January 2010, becoming Manager Roberto Mancini's first signing.

In a remarkable playing career spanning 18 years he won numerous domestic championships in both England and Italy, as well as the World Cup with France in 1998 and the European Championship two years later. The last of his five FA Cup successes came in May as City overcame Stoke at Wembley, ending the club's 34 year wait for silverware.

Patrick will report to the club's Chief Football Operations Officer, Brian Marwood, who said:

"Patrick is the ultimate professional and it is our very great privilege to introduce him as our new Football Development Executive. His experience in the world of football is virtually unparalleled and he will be a huge asset to our club as old and young alike benefit from his knowledge.

“His contribution to world football during his time as a player was extraordinary and he will be remembered as one of the greatest players to grace the Premier League. Whilst it is sad to see Patrick’s playing career come to an end, we are delighted that he has chosen to extend his time with Manchester City in this new capacity.

Wherever he goes he commands the respect of his audience and we believe he will make an invaluable contribution to our club as we build on our recent successes.

Patrick said:

“This role is a fantastic new challenge for me and I am very grateful to Manchester City for offering me this opportunity. I have a lot to learn about the non-playing areas of the business but there are many very experienced people here for me to learn from and I am confident that I can make a significant contribution to the club’s ongoing success.

“I am particularly pleased to be given the opportunity to work with the club’s community scheme.

Manchester City has a great reputation for its commitment to its community and charity partners and I believe I can help to take that message to an even greater audience.

“Everyone at Manchester City – the fans, the staff and the players – have made me and my family feel very welcome here over the past two years and I am very happy to have been given the chance to stay and develop my career away from the pitch.”

[Alioune DVToure]

P.S. In your FACE, Mark (Blue Army)

[BlueMoonAwoken]

awwwwww

[dazby]

P.S. In your FACE, Mark (Blue Army)

tee hee

[Moonchesteri]

P.S. In your FACE, Mark (Blue Army)

ha ha.

I'm glad Patrick decided to stay at Manchester City. His experience will be useful, though I have to say I'm not really sure what he is actually going to do.

[Scatman]

P.S. In your FACE, Mark (Blue Army)

ha ha.

I'm glad Patrick decided to stay at Manchester City. His experience will be useful, though I have to say I'm not really sure what he is actually going to do.

Get a paycut to start with I hope

[Chinners]

P.S. In your FACE, Mark (Blue Army)

Ha ha, likewise as it was in the Bollox a good 10mins before you .... ha ha

<EDIT> Make that 18mins ;)

[craigmcfc]

That sounds like a good move for both parties and I'm sure Roberto will call on his experience before Champions League games to impart words of wisdom and offer advice when required

[twosips]

So he's basically Mario and Micah's babysitter.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

I don't understand what his job is at all..... but who cares.... as long as he himself does.

[HeyMark]

I don't understand what his job is at all..... but who cares.... as long as he himself does.

He probably doesn't either. He was probably just told what he was getting paid a year and signed on the dotted line

[Blue Blood]

Great move by city.

Pat is the very definition of the model pro. Hopefully his example will rub off on all those around him.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Great move by city.

Pat is the very definition of the model pro. Hopefully his example will rub off on all those around him.

Again, it has been mentioned by numerous of players who were with him in Arsenal that he was the worst trainer around. Just happened to be naturally fucking fit.

I don't care either way if club wants to pay him for some odd job title. I just understand this. But as said, I don't need to understand it..... aslong as people who sign the checks do.

[CityGer]

Glad he's been kept on in some capacity.

I think he'll be a good influence around the club. Agree with NQDP that his remit is a little unclear from that article but I'm sure it will be clearly defined. He's a class act and a winner and it can't do any harm to have people like him around the place.

[BobKowalski]

I don't understand what his job is at all..... but who cares.... as long as he himself does.

I think his job is to be all round top bloke. Every club needs one.

I do recall that Paddy was at the fore with the charity and community work last season and for youngsters in the academy having someone like Paddy to look up to and aspire to means you can't go far wrong. Get him working on his badges as well and I feel confident that he will be a positive influence on the club. Plus the players just seem to love the guy.

And as someone who thought signing Paddy was a 'no brainer good idea' from day one I am feeling v smug. Its not a pretty sight.

[Dameerto]

I'm absolutely delighted they created a position for him, he still has a lot of influence with the players and youngsters so he will basically be doing what comes naturally. Sounds like he's our inhouse social worker.

[CTID Hants]

Oh Dear Aresole Whinger won't be happy as gather he fancied having Patrick on his back room staff, oh well :-)

[Chinners]

Oh Dear Aresole Whinger won't be happy as gather he fancied having Patrick on his back room staff, oh well :-)

No doubt he will be getting Plattini and co to investigate this in the next few days ....

[bigblue]

Great move by city.

Pat is the very definition of the model pro. Hopefully his example will rub off on all those around him.

Again, it has been mentioned by numerous of players who were with him in Arsenal that he was the worst trainer around. Just happened to be naturally fucking fit.

I don't care either way if club wants to pay him for some odd job title. I just understand this. But as said, I don't need to understand it..... aslong as people who sign the checks do.

You don't have an 18 year career without being extremely dedicated to your job (including diet, exercise, and mentality).

[twosips]

Isn't Tevez a naff trainer? Not that it matters of course - its on the pitch that matters