'I'm where I want to be' - Arsenal legend Vieira has no interest in European clubs or USA national post

Patrick Vieira insists “I am where I want to be” as he rubbishes talk of leaving New York City for Europe or the United States national team.

The World Cup winner has forged quite a name for himself in coaching circles since calling time on a playing career which took in spells at the likes of Arsenal, Juventus, Inter and Manchester City.

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A productive spell in MLS has helped to raise his profile even further, leading to him being touted as a possible successor to Bruce Arena following a failure by the U.S to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Various club sides have also been mooted as possible landing spots for Vieira, who has conceded in the recent past that he held talks with Ligue 1 side St Etienne over the summer.

The 41-year-old opted to stay put then, though, and maintains that he has no intention of leaving his current role in New York.

Vieira told The Guardian: “I am happy here.

“It is flattering to be linked with different clubs around Europe but it is just journalist talk.

“I am doing what I love and am where I want to be.

“It was just speculation [regarding the USA job] and the best way to kill speculation is to be true and to be honest straight away and people will not talk about it anymore.”

Isaiah J. Downing/USA Today

Vieira still has one more season left to run on his current contract and says he has not ruled out the prospect of extending those terms beyond 2018.

He added: “Why not? I don’t have any reason why not.”

Vieira moved into coaching with Manchester City after hanging up his boots, as he took on a role as football development executive within the club’s academy system.

He then claimed his first managerial job with New York City in November 2015.

The Frenchman led the club to their first play-off appearance in his debut campaign at the helm, before coming unstuck at the conference semi-final stage against Toronto FC.

NYC FC are back in the play-offs for 2017, with Vieira hoping to guide his side past Columbus Crew in a two-legged encounter which gets underway on Tuesday.