---
title: "Viera on Black Cats radar?"
canonical: "https://readsunderland.com/2015/09/28/viera-black-cats-radar/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Chris Sparks"
section: "Articles"
published: "2015-09-28T11:36:50Z"
modified: "2015-09-28T11:36:50Z"
---

# Viera on Black Cats radar?

According to [John Cross of the Daily Mirror](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/sunderland-weigh-up-patrick-vieira-6528380), Sunderland have identified former Arsenal captain Patrick Viera as a prime target should Dick Advocaat walk away from the Stadium of Light.

Viera is currently a youth coach at Manchester City and attracted interest over the summer from premier league clubs Newcastle and Watford. It is believed that Sunderland are looking at bringing the Frenchman to Wearside, but only if Dick Advocaat walks away, with Ellis Short still backing the Dutchman to succeed.

City are eager to retain the services of Viera, who has impressed in his role as a youth coach in Manchester. But they also recognise that one day he may want to manage a senior team and it is understood that they will not stand in Viera’s way should they receive an approach from the Black Cats.

![Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Sport](https://readsunderland.com/https://media.readsunderland.com/readsunderland/2015/09/490326058.jpg)

Advocaat was persuaded to stay by Lee Congerton and Ellis Short after guiding Sunderland to safety during a temporary nine-game spell last season. However, this season has seen a change in fortunes for Advocaat, who has recruited his own players over the summer. The Dutchman has [expressed his disappointment](https://readsunderland.com/2015/09/28/advocaat-expects-summer-signings/) and his signings and the squad’s start to the new campaign as things start to creep into panic mode on Wearside.