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Vieira to work with Man City elite development squad

Patrick Vieira is 'excited' to work with the Man City youth team © PA Photos

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Manchester City have announced that Patrick Vieira will take over as coach of the club's elite development squad.

Vieira, 36, has been working as football development executive at City since retiring as a player two years ago. The move comes as the first of a number of expected changes to the former Premier League champions' coaching staff following the sacking of Roberto Mancini on Monday.

Attilio Lombardo had previously held the role but he has left the club along with Mancini's assistant David Platt. Coaches Angelo Gregucci, Ivan Carminati, Fausto Salsano, Massimo Battara have also departed.

Vieira's move from an administrative position underlines his desire to move into coaching after completing his UEFA B licence in 2012.

In a statement on the club's official website, former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder Vieira said: "After spending two years working across a number of areas of the club and with a particular focus on the youth academy, I feel honoured and privileged to have been offered this role.

"This marks a new chapter both in my career and in my life and I am looking forward to it immensely. My passion for the development of young talent has only grown in my time at City and I am pleased to be able to play my part in helping to shape the footballing future for Manchester City.''

Vieira, who is now hoping to attain his A licence, won the World Cup as a player in 1998 and the European Championship two years later among 107 international appearances.

City chief executive Ferran Soriano added: "Patrick is a world champion and it is a great honour that he has chosen Manchester City to begin his football management career.

"I have seen him carefully considering options and choosing to coach for the best reasons; he has a love of the game and a willingness to continue to learn and transmit his knowledge and experience to young footballers.

"Patrick's role is of the highest long term importance for the club. The ability of the Academy, the elite development squad and the first team to work together using the same football concepts is key to our success and sustainability."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.