Patrick Vieira is being linked with a return to management in France after his spell at Crystal Palace.

The Arsenal legend was sacked by Palace in mid-March with the Eagles on a 12-game winless streak at the time, with Roy Hodgson appointed as his successor on an interim basis until the end of the season.

Vieira left Palace after 20 months in charge, having guided the Eagles to a 12th-placed finish and an FA Cup semi-final in his first full season at the helm, after succeeding Hodgson in the hotseat in July 2021.

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But with Palace being without a win in 2023 up until his departure in March, the Eagles board took decisive action, which has paid off with Hodgson guiding the south London club to safety in the Premier League with five wins from his eight games in charge.

Since his departure from Selhurst Park, Vieira has been seen working as a pundit on Sky Sports, but now he is reportedly among the frontrunners to become the next manager of French side Nantes.

French publication L'Equipe report that Nantes are keen to bring in Vieira, should they avoid relegation from Ligue 1 this season. Currently, Nantes sit 17th in the table and occupy one of the relegation places, with three games left to play.

Vieira has previous experience of working in France as a manager, having led Nice to seventh place in the 2018/19 season and qualification for the Europa League.

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