Crystal Palace have confirmed the sacking of Patrick Vieira as manager and attention has now turned to who might replace him at Selhurst Park, with several options under consideration.
Vieira had come under pressure recently amid Palace’s dire form. They have not won in 12 matches – or during 2023 – and have lost their last three games.
Palace sit in 12th spot in the Premier League, but they are only three points ahead of 18th-placed Bournemouth. Five teams below the Eagles have a game in hand on them, which means they could soon be drawn into a relegation battle.
All of these factors mean Vieira has now been axed as Palace boss. The club confirmed the news through the following statement: ‘Crystal Palace Football Club can confirm that Patrick Vieira has left his post as First Team Manager.
‘Three members of Patrick’s coaching staff – Osian Roberts, Kristian Wilson and Said Aigoun – have also left the club.’
Palace chairman Steve Parish said: “It is with enormous regret that this difficult decision has been made. Ultimately, results in recent months have placed us in a precarious league position and we felt a change is necessary to give us the best chance of retaining Premier League status.
“That said, Patrick’s impact since joining us in the summer of 2021 has been significant, and he is held in the highest regard by myself, and all of his colleagues. He led the team to a Wembley FA Cup semi-final and respectable 12th placed finish last season playing some exciting football, which was a challenging and crucial campaign for the club given the changes we made to the squad prior to his arrival.
“Patrick has given his all to the club, and we all thank him and his team for their service.
Patrick Vieira and his team axed from Palace
“We also wish Patrick, Osian, Kristian and Said the very best for their futures.”
Palace added that the search for Vieira’s replacement has begun. And the club’s supporters will be eagerly awaiting the new arrival.
On Thursday, a report in The Guardian revealed how two Championship bosses are being looked at. They are Vincent Kompany of Burnley and Middlesbrough’s Michael Carrick.
Both have done exceptionally well in the second tier this season and would therefore be good appointments. However, it will be hard to take them to south London given the fact they are both pushing for promotion with their current sides.
Instead, The Independent suggest Rafa Benitez, Ralph Hasenhuttl and Nuno Espirito Santo as potential new managers for Palace.
Benitez and Hasenhuttl will be the easiest to capture due to them being free agents.
Santo, meanwhile, is currently working at Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad. And they have been reluctant to let him go in the past unless his hefty release clause is met, which will put a Palace move in doubt.
