Patrick Vieira Sacked After A Poor Run Of Form With Crystal Palace

Patrick Vieira

After 20 months in charge, Crystal Palace fired manager Patrick Vieira on Friday.

They were three points above the English Premier League (EPL) relegation zone after their 1-0 loss at Brighton & Hove Albion.

With five draws and six losses in their first nine games of 2023, Crystal Palace is the only team in the league without a victory.

They have 11 games remaining and are now in 12th place with 27 points after their 2-0 victory over Bournemouth on December 31.

The decision was made "with great regret," according to Crystal Palace Chairman Steve Parish.

We thought a change was necessary to offer us the best opportunity of maintaining our Premier League status because previous results had put us in a dangerous league position.

Roy Hodgson was succeeded by former France international Vieira, who had a three-year contract and had previously led Arsenal to three league championships and four FA Cups.

In his debut season in command, Vieira, 46, led Crystal Palace to a 12th-place finish and an appearance in the FA Cup semifinals, garnering accolades for his adventurous style of play.

Unfortunately, they have had trouble scoring this season, managing just 21 goals in 27 games.

Wednesday's loss against Brighton was their third straight setback and their 13th game without a goal in league play.

"Patrick has had a huge influence since joining us in the summer of 2021, and I, as well as all of his coworkers, hold him in the highest regard," Parish continued.

"Patrick has given everything to the club, and we are all grateful for him and his team's dedication."

As a member of the French team, Vieira also won the 2000 European Championship and the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

Prior to spending two and a half years at Ligue 1 club Nice, he spent 2016 to 2018 as the head coach of US team New York City FC.

Osian Roberts, Kristian Wilson, and Said Aigoun, three more members of his coaching team, have also left Crystal Palace.

The team did not announce who will take over for Vieira or oversee Sunday's EPL trip to leaders.