Arsenal legends Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry could go head-to-head for USA job

Head coaches Thierry Henry of Monaco and Patrick Vieira of Nice look on from the touchline during the Ligue 1 match between Monaco and Nice at the Stade Louis-II on January 16, 2019 in Fontvieille, Monaco.
(Image credit: Valery Hache/AFP via Getty Images)

Patrick Vieira could rival former Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry for the vacant USA men's national team head coach job, having being sacked by Crystal Palace on Friday.

Palace relieved Vieira of his duties ahead of Sunday's trip to Arsenal, after a run of 11 Premier League games without a win which has seen the Eagles dragged into the intense top-flight relegation scrap.

And the Frenchman has already been touted for a new role, with USA icon Alexi Lalas  earmarking him as a potential candidate to manage the USMNT. 

Asked by a Twitter user for his thoughts on Vieira possibly taking the job, Lalas replied: "I think Patrick Vieira is worth a chat."

The USMNT position has been unfilled since Gregg Berhalter's contract expired at the end of last year.

ESPN reported on Thursday that Henry is keen on the role, having recently rejected the opportunity to take charge of the France women's national team.

Henry has previously managed Monaco and MLS outfit Montreal Impact, in between two stints as Belgium assistant coach.

As for Vieira, prior to his 18 months as Palace manager, he had stints in charge of MLS' New York City, Nice, and Manchester City's Elite Development Squad.

Tom Hancock

Tom Hancock started freelancing for FourFourTwo in April 2019 and has also written for the Premier League and Opta Analyst, among others. He supports Wycombe Wanderers and has a soft spot for Wealdstone. A self-confessed statto, he has been known to watch football with a spreadsheet (or several) open...