Manchester City will soon be challenging the biggest clubs in the world – Patrick Vieira

Patrick Vieira & Roberto Mancini – Manchester City (Getty Images)

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Patrick Vieira is confident Manchester City will be one of the biggest clubs in the world within a few years.

The former Arsenal midfielder moved to City in January 2010 from Inter and, although he retired after the end of last season, he has stayed at the club as football development executive.

The 35-year-old is convinced that the club will continue to force its way into the upper echelons of the European elite.

Vieira told reporters: “I think the target and the ambition of all the people working for this football club is really high.

“They want to challenge the biggest clubs in the world and the club is getting there.

“When you look at the club three years ago and where it is now, it is a big change. You never know where the club will be in three years.

“We just have to keep working really hard, keep believing in what we are doing and I am sure the club will challenge the biggest in the world.”

The club has already seen a meteoric rise in recent seasons, having finished third in the Premier League in the last campaign just 13 years after being relegated to the third tier of English football.

They won their first trophy since the 1976 League Cup when they beat Stoke in the FA Cup final in May, and Vieira says he is proud to be a part of their success.

“It was time for me to hang up the boots but I am really happy with my new role,” the Frenchman said.

“I have been at the club for a year-and-a-half but I feel like I have been here for 10 years.

“The football club is growing up so fast and I am really proud to be part of it.

“It is a hard decision but it was easy at the same time because the proposal from the club to work for them was exciting.

“I wanted to learn the other side of the game as well, and what a club to do it at.”

The former midfielder was speaking as the Blues unveiled plans for a state-of-the-art, 80-acre training complex near to the newly renamed Etihad Stadium.

“It is fantastic, unbelievable,” Vieira said. “When you are a player what you ask for is a facility where you can express yourself and learn.

“I don’t think you will find a better facility than this around the world.”

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