Vieira Hangs Up City Playing Boots

Former Arsenal, Manchester City and France midfielder Patrick Vieira has announced his retirement as a player.

The 35-year-old has been named as football development executive at City.

He told City's official website: "This role is a fantastic new challenge for me and I am very grateful to Manchester City for offering me this opportunity.

"I am confident that I can make a significant contribution to the club's ongoing success."

Vieira was Roberto Mancini's first signing at Eastlands in January 2010, but started just 12 league games in his 18 months with the club.

He added: "I have a lot to learn about the non-playing areas of the business but there are many very experienced people here for me to learn from.

"I am particularly pleased to be given the opportunity to work with the club's community scheme.

"Manchester City has a great reputation for its commitment to its community and charity partners and I believe I can help to take that message to an even greater audience."

"Everyone at Manchester City - the fans, the staff and the players - have made me and my family feel very welcome here over the past two years and I am very happy to have been given the chance to stay and develop my career away from the pitch."

Vieira began his career at Cannes, before moving to AC Milan in 1996, but after nine months in Italy he headed to Highbury, where he became a crucial part of Arsene Wenger's side which won the Premier League in 1998, 2002 and 2004.

He left for Juventus in 2005 and then moved to Inter Milan after one season in Turin.

City's chief football operations officer Brian Marwood said: "Patrick is the ultimate professional and it is our very great privilege to introduce him as our new football development executive.

"His experience in the world of football is virtually unparalleled and he will be a huge asset to our club as old and young alike benefit from his knowledge.

"His contribution to world football during his time as a player was extraordinary and he will be remembered as one of the greatest players to grace the Premier League.

"Whilst it is sad to see Patrick's playing career come to an end, we are delighted that he has chosen to extend his time with Manchester City in this new capacity.

"Wherever he goes he commands the respect of his audience and we believe he will make an invaluable contribution to our club as we build on our recent successes."

VIEIRA'S CAREER 

1994-96: Cannes - 53 appearances, 3 goals

1996: AC Milan - 5 appearances

1996-2005: Arsenal - 371 appearances, 32 goals

2005-06: Juventus - 41 appearances, 5 goals

2006-2010: Inter Milan - 88 appearances, 7 goals

2010-2011: Manchester City - 39 appearances, 6 goals

1997-2009: France - 107 appearances, 6 goals

Mancini Sees City Reach European Dream

Roberto Mancini

After an overall investment in excess of £1billion and over £350million spent on players, the team that Sheikh Mansour built qualified for the Champions League.

The Tottenham own goal by Peter Crouch after half an hour was enough to take City nine points clear of the Londoners, and out of Liverpool's reach as well with two games to spare. So City fans can now look forward to Saturday's FA Cup final with Stoke knowing an end to their 35-year wait for a trophy will complete a perfect season.

Both sides retained only four members of their starting line-ups from 12 months previous, which in Tottenham's case,  was down to injury and poor form.

City were calling on five men who were not even at the club for that fateful occasion, including goalkeeper Joe Hart, who they had tried to get back from a loan spell at Birmingham.

Given Harry Redknapp had already declared a belief that City have made one or two signings that will 'blow your brains out' in the summer, it was clear where the momentum lay.

Even without Carlos Tevez, who was back on the bench ahead of Saturday's Wembley showpiece, Roberto Mancini was still able to call upon the dynamic services of David Silva, who threatened danger at every turn.

The irony in Crouch scoring the goal to put City ahead was inescapable.

At the very same end last term, the England forward sent Tottenham on a rollercoaster journey that has taken them to Milan twice this season, and Madrid. Meetings with Europe's elite that will live forever.

As Mancini has noted though, there has been a physical toll taken and Tottenham are now a shadow of the side that lit up the Champions League stage.

So, once Luka Modric had gone for accuracy instead of power as he connected with Aaron Lennon's square ball, yet still failed to find the net as his shot rolled agonisingly wide, the fear for Tottenham was obvious. Crouch wasn't the only man to blame.

There was no effort to track Milner's run after he had taken a short corner with Adam Johnson, allowing him to stride down the by-line and deliver a powerful, low cross to the near post.

Under pressure from Joleon Lescott, Crouch stuck out a boot instinctively.

After scoring only four Premier League goals this season, Crouch could only reflect on the fact that this time, the target was found with ease, and in much the same way as his effort last season.

City had only created one other first-half chance of note.

It was hardly a surprise Silva was the architect, squaring for Edin Dzeko in much the same manner as Lennon was to do a bit later. The Bosnian's effort was on target but Carlo Cudicini, in for injured first-choice Heurelho Gomes, turned it away.

There have been a number of decent performers for City this season but few have been as consistent as goalkeeper Hart.

A sense of panic swept round the ground, which only grew as Rafael van der Vaart and Lennon threatened from decent positions. Yet it was City who came closest to grabbing a second, only for William Gallas to brilliantly turn away Patrick Vieira's goalbound header.

Tottenham tried to respond but could muster nothing worthwhile and they are now outsiders to even finish fifth, with Stoke guaranteed a place in the Europa League, no matter what happens on Saturday.

Carlos Tevez will be fit for that after a late substitute appearance, having done as much as anyone to ensure City are back amongst Europe's elite for the first time in 43 years.