Manchester City are reportedly unwilling to allow their Elite Development Squad head coach Patrick Vieira leave the club, despite him being linked with Ligue 1 side Marseille.
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The former Arsenal captain is a target for the French club according to The Sun, as doubts persist over the future of current incumbent Marcelo Bielsa.
However, the Manchester Evening News claims the Blues will fight to retain his services, as he is highly-rated by the hierarchy.
Vieira made his name in north London with the Gunners, winning a host of trophies and shining in their ‘Invincibles’ side of 2004, which famously went an entire Premier League season without suffering a single defeat.
But it was City where he finished his playing career four years ago and he has since embarked on his coaching education at the Etihad Stadium with the champions’ youngsters. They are said to be insistent that they will resist any attempt to lure the Frenchman away.
He could yet find himself thrust into the spotlight at his current club, should City part with under-pressure manager Manuel Pellegrini. Vieira would be a leading candidate to step in, especially if more high-profile targets cannot be lured to the blue side of Manchester this summer.