Inter Miami: Patrick Vieira might want better

Inter Miami CF are really making a mess of this expansion lark. They may have the big-name owner, the flashy investments, the expansive stadium plans and likely will be successful once they take to the pitch and can build a team, but they are missing one major component.

In fact, if I had to rank the importance of individuals at a football, the one that they are missing, the manager, might be number one on the list.

Rumours have been rife regarding the Inter Miami head coaching position. Marcelo Gallardo is the big name that they would love, though he might be difficult to get, while Santiago Solari and even Mauricio Pochettino have also been mentioned as possible targets.

But now, with the offseason a month old and the inaugural 2020 campaign steaming ahead, there is a new name on the block, one that will be familiar for many an MLS supporter. Per Taylor Twellman of ESPN, former New York City FC and current OGC Nice head coach Patrick Vieira has been contacted by Inter Miami and is now the frontrunner for their head coaching position.

Vieira departed MLS around 18 months ago when he was attracted to a European offer, leaving NYCFC when they were in the midst of their greatest-ever season with dreams of finally winning an MLS Cup. Domenec Torrent, Vieira’s replacement, got off to a slow start and eventually saw his team slump out of the playoffs with a loss to Atlanta United.

Vieira would be a major get for Inter Miami. While Nice are currently struggling in 15th in Ligue 1, he guided them to a seventh-place finish last season and was viewed as one of the more progressive, influential managers in MLS during his time in New York.