Patrick Vieira has warned Newcastle United that he will only take up the position of head coach at St James' Park if he is given "the tools to be a successful manager". The Frenchman is currently head of Manchester City's Elite Development Squad but he is due to meet with the Magpies this week to discuss the position vacated by Alan Pardew at the turn of the year. But the 38-year-old has offered Newcastle a blueprint of his vision for the role even before meeting representatives of the club - and so if the Magpies really are serious about recruiting the former Arsenal captain then they should ensure they turn up with an intriguing offer for him. After attending a UEFA Pro-Licence coaching course in Wales last week, Vieira told The Mirror:
"I am happy with the way I am developing as a manager and a young coach. "It is about the vision and I have been here (at Man City) for three years from the B-licence to the pro-licence and I really know myself. I really know which kind of manager that I want to be. "(It is important) they (interested clubs, like Newcastle) don't try to put something in my head. "It is about who I am as a person and how I see the game - how they (the club) can give me the tools to be a successful manager."
As a player, Vieira lifted the World Cup, the FIFA Confederations Cup and the European Championship with France, three Premier League titles and four FA Cups with Arsenal, four Serie A titles (one with Juventus and three with Inter Milan), and another FA Cup with Manchester City - but as a manager he has no senior experience. Since 2013, the 107-cap France international has been in charge of Man Citys Elite Development Squad and, although he has been earmarked as Manuel Pellegrinis potential long-term replacement at the Etihad, he is still very much in the embryonic stages of his coaching career. However, Vieira would certainly represent an extremely positive appointment for Newcastle should they convince him to move to the North East. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook.