As Manchester City’s star-studded first team prepare to defend two trophies this season while seeking further glory, the club’s EDS squad are searching for a winning mentality, says coach and World Cup winner Patrick Vieira.
Former Arsenal and France midfielder Vieira, who had a brief FA Cup-winning stint at City before he hung up his boots, took charge of the EDS (Elite Development Squad) in 2013.
The 38-year-old, one of the game’s most prolific champions having clinched the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 with France then three league titles and four FA Cups with Arsenal, wants to instill a similar bloody-mindedness in the City youth after a fruitless past season.
“We worked hard but we’re still missing something,” Vieira told CityTV.
“We have to create the winning mentality in our youth. Hopefully we can win but with our philosophy of playing well.”
As with most great players, turning their hand to coaching can be difficult especially when less-talented individuals are unable to perform at the levels their coach in question once did.
Vieira said it was an enjoyable learning experience however and a necessary step to one day becoming a great manager, following in the footsteps of his Arsenal mentor Arsene Wenger.
“I need to be a little more patient, a little bit less frustrated when things aren’t going the way I expect,” said the Frenchman.
“There’s a lot of frustration when you prepare well, everything’s been good and then the game arrives and things go differently.
“When you want to succeed, when you want to win a game, it’s always difficult when you don’t achieve your target.”
The combative midfielder, who also played at Juventus, both Milan clubs and Cannes in France, said the secret to reaching the pinnacle of the game was simply by not being shy.
“If you want to be a top player you have to show your personality.
“Every time you make a step up you have to show to the staff and your manager that you have a strong personality and you’re not afraid to play your game.”
Main image courtesy of Manchester City FC, with thanks.
