If the youngest only know him as a coach, Patrick Vieira nevertheless had a spectacular playing career. The former midfielder, crowned world champion in 1998 and European champion in 2000 with the Blues, was for many seasons during one of the executives of the great Arsenal team coached by Arsène Wenger. Enough to arouse the desires of other clubs such as Real Madrid.
In an interview with Marca revealed this Sunday, the current Genoa coach returned to this episode where “Casa Blanca” contacted him. “It happens that in football you sometimes have to make decisions. We have opportunities and we decide. I was perfectly happy at Arsenal. Everything was going very well. It felt like home and I didn't want to leave at that moment. But if I look back on my career again, not going to Real Madrid at that time could be one of my regrets. »
And continue. “Real Madrid called me. I had a good discussion with the president, but it didn't happen for various reasons. » However, Patrick Vieira confirmed that he did not really regret staying at Arsenal.
“I was too happy at Arsenal to leave the club at that time. »
Patrick Vieira fan of Declan Rice
Also a Manchester City player during his career, the former international always keeps a close eye on what is happening in the Premier League and the players who play there. So he declared his love for an Arsenal midfielder. “I’m a big fan of (Declan) Rice. I think it's a complete middle. He has the necessary mobility, he can move forward, recover the ball. He's very powerful and I think he's one of the best in England. »
This season, Patrick Vieira is suffering with his Genoa team which occupies the red lantern position after six matches played in Serie A. The French tactician hopes that his men will obtain their first victory this Sunday when they host Parma (3 p.m.).
