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He is also a World Champion, a star. He is also a European Champion. He is also an ‘Invincible’. Ambassador for Arsenal, and pundit for beIN SPORTS, Robert Pires played alongside Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry, both at the London club and with the French national side. 

Speaking on the phone, the former attacking midfielder didn’t hesitate for one second before kicking off the derby between the two coaches. “Both of them are my friends. They are bringing a breath of fresh air to L1. Speaking about them always makes me happy, especially ahead of a fixture like this one...”.

Patrick Vieira at the Gym

“When I saw that Nice were interested in him - we have the same agent-, I said to him that he should go for it. As soon as it was all sorted, I thought: “Finally, it was time that he got going!” France, Italy, England, Pat’ has experienced everything, even a coaching experience in the US. His arrival is a very good thing.”  

Vieira’s style 

“I am not surprised by what Nice now offer because it suits him. When he was a player, he was defensive, but what he liked was to hurt the opponent, to walk all over them to take the lead, and to bring everyone along behind him. This temperament can be seen within his squad, because the Gym play well, have some real talent, but above all show real solidity. Pat’ is slowly but surely putting his style in place. It’s beginning to bear fruits.”

The qualities of the player that help him to coach

“He likes taking risks, he has a lot of abnegation in what he does, and above all, he isn’t scared of anything. On the pitch, he wasn’t a nice guy, he loved a battle and believe me, it was difficult to come up against him. When he felt that it was the right moment, he went for it... and he still goes for it as a coach! He tries things, he has always been like that. Another huge strength, he doesn’t let anybody off.” 

The season

“To start with, it wasnt easy, everybody needed to get to know each other. There was Reims, Dijon, but the players quickly understood what he was asking of them and since then, it’s working well. He said to me that he is very happy, that he has quality players at his disposal. Players like Atal, Cyprien, Lees-Melou, Saint-Maximin.”

Robert’s message to Patrick

“He is in the process of achieving what he wants to do: he should continue that way! With the team that he has, he can play for the top third of the table, so if I had to send him a message, I would put him under a bit of pressure, because Nice can do it.” 

Thierry Henry at Monaco…

“He hasn’t chosen the easy option, but I really like his decision. He could have gone elsewhere but no, he decided to accept this challenge, which suits him. Monaco is almost the club of his heart, the place where he started, even though he left an immense legacy at Arsenal. He is capable of turning it around and taking ASM to mid-table. I am sure of that.”  

Henry’s style

“It’s still too soon* to talk about it, especially as he arrived at a difficult time. But he also likes nice football, and even if the side isn’t winning yet, when you are watching them out on the pitch, you can see good things.”  

The qualities of the player that help him to coach  

“(Straight away) He is a perfectionist! He always has been, he has always looked for things to be perfect tactically, always passing on good energy to his teammates, has always accepted and sparked dialogue... He knows football and he has an exact idea of what he is looking for. When it’s like that, you know where you are going and what you need to get there. So he works and makes people work. Again, again and again.”

The season

“It will be complicated, but once again, I have no doubts. Unfortunately, Monaco found themselves in a negative spiral, where Lady Luck didn’t shine on them. You could see that with the injuries, with a huge number of guys out on the sidelines, it was difficult for Titi’ to build his side. Monaco are a really good club, they have impressed us in Europe in recent years, but for the moment they are fighting for survival. That’s football for you...”  

Robert’s message to Thierry  

“Luck will eventually turn, so you need to knuckle down. I am sure that everyone will do it. I can see Monaco turning this around and finishing mid-table..." 

It’s said 

"A prediction? That’s not very nice (laughs). You are asking me to choose between Vieira and Henry, but you can’t choose between friends. I want Pat’ to win for Europe and Titi to win for survival. The ideal result for me would be a good 2-2.”

“It doesn’t surprise me that they became coaches. Both of them were my captain and they are leaders of men. They like to talk and are focussed on the detail. It makes me happy to see them where they are, it’s very good for L1. As players, they played at the very highest level and they have now taken it on them to manage a team, hats off to them! A new life has begun, especially for Thierry, becshse Patrick has ben on the circuit for 3 years now. The job is perfect for both of them.” 

C.D.

*The Interview was conducted at the end of 2018

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