Former Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira says he is "honored" to manage New York City FC and has promised he and his staff will work hard on winning silverware with the expansion franchise next season.
Vieira, a former Arsenal and France captain, was named the second head coach in NYCFC's brief history on Monday, replacing former boss Jason Kreis, whom the New York City side sacked after a disappointing season in which they failed to qualify for the MLS playoffs.
"I'm quite, really honored to manage New York City," Vieira, who was most recently Manchester City's Elite Development Squad manager, told the club's website on Thursday. "This is what I really want to do, and to have the opportunity to manage this football club is a massive honor."
Vieira inherits a squad boasting aging former European stars Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard and David Villa, as well as up-and-comers like Khiry Shelton and Thomas McNamara -- a mix of old and young the former World Cup winner is excited to direct.
"I think it's a really talented squad," Vieira said. "I think we are quite lucky to have some special talent. We had a winning balance of players with experience who want to have success, who want to win silverware and we had young players who are full of enthusiasm and want to succeed. And I think the balance is quite, really good and that's why I strongly believe in this group."
Watch part one of our exclusive interview with @OfficialVieira: https://t.co/kN6Q05aWnF #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/FLw6tKaWnR
- New York City FC (@NYCFC) November 12, 2015
Vieira admits he still has much to learn about his new league, but he is confident he already has a side ready win as soon as 2016.
"We want to win silverware," Vieira said. "I think we are working hard to be successful and we will be judged on what we will win at the end of the season. It is a massive challenge -- massive challenge -- this is the reason why it's important for me to have the right people around who know the MLS really well.
"But at the end of the day it's about taking the information on board, learning and I'm ready to do it. I'm really open-minded and I strongly believe that we have a strong base of players, talented players who can bring success to our football club."