Roy Hodgson believes that Patrick Vieira has the capability to emerge as an elite manager.

Roy Hodgson, the former England manager, believes that Patrick Vieira, Crystal Palace’s sacked boss, has the potential to become a top manager. He is confident that Vieira will soon find work after his dismissal due to an alarming winless run.

Vieira succeeded Hodgson as Eagles boss in the summer of 2021. Palace brought Hodgson back to Selhurst Park until the end of the season in an attempt to avoid Premier League relegation.

Palace is yet to win in 2023 and sit just three points above the drop zone ahead of their match against the 17th-placed Foxes. Vieira left a fortnight ago following a 1-0 loss at rivals Brighton. The Eagles’ lengthy spell without a win was extended to 12 league matches by a 4-1 thrashing at leaders Arsenal under caretaker boss Paddy McCarthy.

Hodgson met the 46-year-old Frenchman when he arrived in south London in 2021 but has not been in contact since his departure. He believes that Vieira has a big future ahead of him as a manager, and there’s no doubt he will get another club soon. Hodgson hopes that the experience Vieira had at Palace won’t affect his chances of doing well in his next job because he has all the necessary tools to become a top manager.

“I had a chance to admire him very much as a player and as a person and get to know him that little bit. But of course, when you come into a job and someone’s just lost their job unless he happens to be a close friend, it’s not an easy thing to do to pick up the phone. I don’t know quite what I would say to him,” Hodgson said regarding his thoughts about speaking with Vieira after his dismissal.