PARIS, June 12 -- Ligue 1 outfit Nice on Monday announced that former France international Patrick Vieira took over as the team's new head coach following Lucien Favre's departure to Borussia Dortmund.
The club said that arriving in Nice on Monday morning, Vieira, who coached New York City FC, has officially signed his contract, and made his return to Ligue 1 almost 23 years after leaving it as a player.
According to the club President Jean-Pierre Rivere, Nice were looking for "a coach with the ability to continue to produce attractive football, to bring through youngsters by taking risks to help them grow, and someone who lives and breathes to win".
Vieira was shown the club's training complex before signing his contract alongside Rivere, and was presented to the press later in afternoon.
Vieira, 41, started his professional career at Cannes. After spending a short spell in AC Milan, he became the cornerstone for Arsenal during 1996-2005, and later played for Juventus, Inter Milan and Manchester City.
He also played 107 matches for the French national team, including his title-winning experience with Les Bleus at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
Retiring as a player in 2011, Vieira began his coaching career by managing the City youngsters in 2013, before becoming the head coach of New York City FC, who have the same owner as Manchester City.
His side finished second in the East Conference on two occasions, and he left the team second in the Conference after 15 games and his last match against Atlanta United on Saturday.