Arsenal should hire 'born leader' Patrick Vieira to replace Unai Emery, says David Seaman

Joe Krishnan30 November 2019

Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman believes Patrick Vieira would be the ideal candidate to replace Unai Emery as Gunners boss.

Emery was axed by the club's hierarchy after a run of seven games without a win and with Arsenal eight points adrift of the top four after just 13 games.

High-profile managers such as Massimiliano Allegri, Carlo Ancelotti and Nuno Espirito Santo have been linked with the job, while former Gunners captain Mikel Arteta has also been mentioned as a possible candidate.

But Seaman believes Vieira, currently coach of Ligue 1 outfit Nice, would be a better option given his relationship with the supporters.

"I am sure Arsenal fans would love Patrick to come back to the club. Knowing Patrick, I think he would be the right man," Seaman told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily Podcast.

Return? Seaman says Vieira would be the ideal man to replace Unai Emery  Photo: Reuters
REUTERS/Emmanuel Foudrot

"I knew what he was like as a player. I knew what he was like as a captain. He was a born leader and everybody knows that.

"Maybe go down that route instead of a tried and tested route."

Freddie Ljungberg has been handed the reins on a temporary basis while the Arsenal board search for a permanent replacement for Emery.

But despite seeing Frank Lampard and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer take full-time roles at Chelsea and Manchester United respectively, Seaman says the Swede is not experienced enough to take the job permanently.

"This job is much bigger than what Freddie is used to at the moment," he added.

"He has only just got into the coaching side of the game and he will be really avant-garde as a manager. But while he is taking charge now, please try and get some sort of defensive formation sorted out."

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