Patrick Vieira Steps Down as Strasbourg Coach After One Year

Patrick Vieira has left his position as coach of Ligue 1 club Strasbourg by mutual agreement, just a month before the season starts. Vieira guided Strasbourg to a 13th place finish last year amid fans' protests against the club's shared ownership with Chelsea. A new coach will be announced soon.

Patrick Vieira has stepped down as the coach of Strasbourg, the US-owned, top-tier French soccer club, after just one year into his three-year contract. His departure comes a month before the start of the Ligue 1 season.

The club, which shares ownership with Chelsea, announced in a statement on Thursday that Vieira's exit was by mutual agreement. Last season, he steered Strasbourg to a 13th place finish in an 18-team league, despite facing protests from fans against the multi-club ownership model.

Strasbourg reassured that Vieira would always be welcomed back at the club and that a new coach will be named soon. Vieira's coaching career includes stints at Nice, Crystal Palace, and New York City. He also coached youth teams at Manchester City. As a player, Vieira has an illustrious career, having won World Cup and European Championship titles with France and three Premier League titles with Arsenal's 'Invincibles.'