Patrick Vieira will leave Manchester City if offered a manager’s position that suits his ambition.

Vieira has spent four years at Manchester City in various non-playing roles.

Newcastle United have made contact with the Vieira camp, although this is as far as any progress has gone regarding the 38-year-old former Arsenal captain replacing John Carver as manager.

Vieira is on a 12-month rolling contract worth around £1.5 million a-year and Newcastle or any club would have to pay that amount in compensation.

Vieira knows Manuel Pellegrini appears certain to be retained for another year as manager. If he does stay City hope to appoint Bayern Munich’s Pep Guardiola next summer. This would close the door to any prospects Vieira may have of taking over at City in the next 12 months. His lack of experience as a manager may also count against him.