Patrick Vieira to miss Arsenal reunion as he leaves Crystal Palace

Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira | Imago

PREMIER LEAGUE Patrick Vieira to miss Arsenal reunion as he leaves Crystal Palace

Joba Ogunwale 10:42 - 17.03.2023

The former Inter Milan star has left Crystal Palace after less than two years in charge at Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace have sacked Patrick Vieira as their manager following a poor run of form that has left the Eagles just above the relegation zone. 

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Vieira leaves Palace after just 18 months in charge, having joined the club in July 2021. Vieira led the Eagles to a 12th-place finish in the Premier League in his first season, but his second season has not gone according to plan. 

Vieira pays the price for Crystal Palace's poor form

Although Palace started the season well,  they have been on a poor run of form since the turn of the year. 

The Eagles are winless this year, with their last win coming on December 31st last year against Bournemouth. 

They were knocked out of the FA Cup by Southampton at the beginning of the year and have picked just three points from their last 11 league games. 

Former Crystal Palace Manager Patrick Vieira
Crystal Palace had just one win in their last 12 games before Vieira was sacked

The Eagles have also lost their last three league games, including the 1-0 defeat at Brighton, which proved to be Vieria’s last game as the manager. 

Palace released a statement on Friday morning, confirming Vieira’s departure as the club’s manager, with three of his backroom staff also leaving. 

The statement read: 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 Saïd Aïgoun - have also left the club.

Palace chairman Steve Parish also released a statement, saying it was a difficult decision but one they had to take to preserve their Premier League status. 

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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.

“We also wish Patrick, Osian, Kristian and Saïd the very best for their futures.”

Vieira to miss Arsenal reunion 

Vieira’s departure as Palace’s boss means the former France international will now miss Arsenal reunion. 

The Eagles play the Gunners in their next Premier League game on Sunday, but Vieira will not get the chance to face his former club. 

Patrick Vieira has been sacked as Crystal Palace manager
Patrick Vieira will miss his reunion with Arsenal

The 46-year-old spent ten years as a player at Arsenal and was the captain of the invincibles team that won the 2003/2004 Premier League title without losing a game. 

Patrick Vieira speaks on Crystal Palace's recent form

Nonetheless, Palace will be eager to move on from Vieira’s departure as quickly as possible, with the Eagles sitting just three points above the relegation zone. 

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