Vieira hangs up his boots

14 July 2011 13:23
Patrick Vieira has announced his retirement from professional football and will take up a role off the pitch with Manchester City.[LNB] Vieira has described the end of his playing career as a sad day but is looking forward to his change of direction.[LNB]The 35-year-old Frenchman hung up his boots on Thursday, 18 years after making his debut for Cannes, following a glittering career that has brought him World Cup and European Championship winners' medals as well as seven domestic titles and five FA Cups.[LNB]Vieira, who was released by City at the end of last season, has accepted a newly-created position as the club's football development executive and will help nurture young players among other responsibilities.[LNB]The former midfielder told City's official website: "It was something I was preparing for in my head and I think it was the right time.[LNB]"It's a sad day and a sad moment but overall I've enjoyed the years I've spent in football. Football has brought me a lot.[LNB]"I think it will be difficult to find a job that will give me as much satisfaction as football has given me but I just want to give back to society and give back to football what it has given to me. And what a fantastic club for me to do it."[LNB]Vieira was City boss Roberto Mancini's first signing when he left Inter Milan to return to the Premier League in January 2010.[LNB]He was not a regular starter but made 47 appearances in total, scoring six goals, with his final run-out in a City shirt coming as a late substitute in the FA Cup final victory over Stoke in May.[LNB]As well as working in the youth set-up, Vieira will also help to deliver the club's social responsibility programme and get involved on the commercial side.[LNB]Explaining his decision to stay at a club where he spent only the very end of his career, Vieira stressed it was the outlook of City's owners and staff that made the difference.[LNB]He said: "It's been a fantastic year and a half. I've met people who are determined to make the club progress, who have a vision of football that is similar to mine, and what I love most of all is the hard work that this football club is doing for the community.[LNB]"Being part of that is something I wanted to do and that's why I'm really proud and happy to sign a new contract with City.[LNB]"I'm delighted to be part of the project ahead. It's a fantastic challenge for me because I want to learn. It's not going to be easy for me because it's a different side of the game that I don't know."[LNB]Vieira is planning to take his coaching badges, although he stressed a move into management is not something he is currently planning.[LNB]The 35-year-old, meanwhile, is confident City will continue to go from strength to strength after last year's FA Cup triumph and qualification for the Champions League.[LNB]"I was really proud to be part of the team last year and I think the team responded really well to the expectation," he added. "The future is looking fantastic because talent has come in and the team is really hungry to win silverware."[LNB]Vieira rose to prominence when he joined Arsenal from AC Milan in 1996 and he went on to enjoy great success in nine seasons with the Gunners.[LNB]The combative midfielder was part of the 'Invincibles' team that won the Premier League title in 2003-04 without losing a match while he won two other league crowns and four FA Cups.[LNB]His final kick for the Gunners was the winning penalty in the 2005 cup final, the last trophy won by Arsenal, before he moved on to Italy.[LNB]Four successive Serie A titles followed with Inter Milan before injuries began to limit his appearances and he made the decision to return to England.[LNB]On the international stage, the Frenchman was a key part of the team that won the European Championships in 2000 and also made a substitute appearance in France's World Cup final triumph over Brazil two years earlier.[LNB]Vieira will report to City's chief football operations officer Brian Marwood, who described him as the "ultimate professional".[LNB]Marwood said: "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.[LNB]"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."[LNB]Meanwhile, defender Jerome Boateng is to leave Eastlands after City agreed an undisclosed fee with Bayern Munich.[LNB]The 22-year-old Germany international joined Mancini's side last summer from Hamburg but struggled to make an impact due to a succession of injuries.[LNB]The deal will be completed once Boateng, who is currently with City on their pre-season tour of the US, has passed a medical in Bavaria.

Source: Team_Talk