Arsene Wenger has backed Patrick Vieira to be a future Arsenal manager.
The Invincibles skipper was never never offered a role at the Emirates under Wenger and started his coach career at Manchester City and New York City.
Now 42, Vieira has led Nice to eighth place in his first season as a Ligue 1 boss.
Wenger said: “I see him as the Arsenal coach one day because I think he is too young to go directly into international football. I think his life will go through club football.
“He has constructed his career intelligently and patiently.
Martin Keown destroys Arsenal's £35m flop Shkodran Mustafi after horror show
"He left when he was young, he went to New York, he is now in Nice and he has taken time to mature and learn his profession.
"And something you can't give: he has a natural charisma, he is both elegant and authoratative. He has passed through a difficult time at Nice but he showed no signs of weakness. It is in times of crisis you see the coach.”
Vieira fell out with his former City team-mate Mario Balotelli and the Italy striker left for Marseille in January.
“It was complicated because what I expected from him,” recalled the Arsenal legend. “With our young team, I expected him to act like a leader and he wasn't capable of doing it. We could not continue working together.”
Unai Emery defends Shkodran Mustafi despite Arsenal man's Crystal Palace blunders
Wenger, 69, has still not taken a job in football since leaving Arsenal at the end of last season.
“I am open to offers but paradoxically, but I don't have a precise plan,” he said. “Paris Saint-Germain are not looking for a coach nor have any special demands in the management structure so I am not a candidate for anything and have decided to go with the flow.”
One of Wenger's former defenders has gone in on a current centre-back.
Martin Keown called Shkodran Mustafi's defending in the defeat to Crystal Palace 'schoolboy'.
Unai Emery insists he did NOT disrespect Crystal Palace after Eagles beat Arsenal
The Match of the Day pundit says the 27-year-old should take the blame for each of the Eagles three goals Unai Emery insists he did NOT disrespect Crystal Palace after Eagles beat Arsenal .
The 3-2 defeat could be damaging - but manager Unai Emery defended the centre-half after another calamity.
"He's out-muscled," he said. "His poor decision making is costing his team - key moment and individual errors.
"Then he stands there. Just get back and defend!"
