Nice Wiretap

Nice are attempting to hire Mauricio Pochettino as manager to replace Lucien Favre. 

Sources have said Nice owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the richest man in the UK, is considering sacking the Swiss manager and that Pochettino is the first-choice candidate to replace him.

Sources have said it is unlikely Pochettino would prioritize a return to France after his preivous experience as manager of PSG.

Pochettino was on the shortlist for jobs at Manchester United and Chelsea this summer but Erik ten Hag and Graham Potter were appointed ahead of him.

Arsenal will loan Nicolas Pepe to Nice.

Pepe's departure is a reflection of his minimal impact since making a club-record £72 million move from Lille in 2019.

Pepe has scored 27 goals in 112 appearances but started just five games last season as manager Mikel Arteta preferred Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe among others in Arsenal's wide positions.

Jean-Clair Todibo has joined Nice from Barcelona for a reported $10.1 million transfer fee.

The fee could rise to $18 million if add-ons are triggered.

Barcelona are also looking to offload Junior Firpo, Philippe Coutinho, Neto, Samuel Umtiti and Martin Braithwaite, but have yet to receive offers.

La Liga president Javier Tebas stated that Barcelona must cut their wage bill before making any new signings.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who has already made four signings, is looking to add four more players to the squad. 

Patrick Vieira has been fired as manager of Nice.

Nice was eliminated from the Europa League on Thursday and have now lost their past five matches in all competitions.

A club statement read: "Following an interview last night, the Nice board have informed Patrick Vieira of their decision to end the collaboration.

"The Nice directors would like to sincerely thank the former France international for his involvement in the development of the club and wish him all the best for the rest of his managerial career."

Several Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 sides could declare bankruptcy within the next 6 months if matches are canceled due to COVID-19.

"I am very, very, very worried for all the clubs," he said. "Without state aid, within six months, half of professional clubs will have to file for bankruptcy. The five major leagues have already lost €4 billion and the French league between €500m and €600m," said the president of Saint-Etienne's supervisory board, Bernard Caiazzo.

Lyon were the first Ligue 1 side to adopt the policy of partial employment which funds a portion of the staff's salaries.

Caiazzo adds that the funds are not enough to cover a functioning side.

He added that there will hardly be a transfer window due to an overall lack of funds.

"There will also be no transfer window. Our neighbours will not have the resources to buy players this summer. However, some Ligue 1 clubs are banking on sales by the end of June. Not to mention the €170m less in TV rights money, as well as a box office shortfall."

Patrick Vieira has emerged as Inter Miami's top target to fill their managerial position.

Vieira would be Miami's first manager in club history.

Vieira is currently managing Nice, though the club are confident that they can reach an agreement with the Ligue 1 club to buyout his contract.

Miami have been linked with Carlo Ancelotti, though Ancelotti is likely to take over at Everton.

Patrick Vieira is not considered a top candidate for the managerial vacancy at Arsenal.

Vieira is a club legend and currently manages Nice. Vieira is keen on getting the job but some of his team's recent performances have raised questions. 

Mikel Arteta, Mauricio Pochettino, Max Allegri, Brendan Rodgers, Eddie Howe and Marcelo Gallardo have all been mentioned as candidates to permantely replace Unai Emery, who was sacked last month.

Arsenal wants to give Freddie Ljungberg an opportunity to make a positive impact on the club.

Mario Balotelli is set to join Marseille after falling out with Patrick Vieira at Nice.

Balotelli's contract with Nice expires at the end of this season.

Balotelli hasn't played since December 4th after clashing with Vieira. He has 0 goals in 10 matches this season. 

The match between Monaco and Nice scheduled for Friday was postponed, along with three other Ligue 1 matches.

The Derby de la Cote d'Azur created an anticipated coaching matchup between former Arsenal teammates Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry. 

The postponements were in response to a planned protests around the country due to increased fuel taxes.

Patrick Vieira has stepped down as manager of NYCFC in order to join Nice.

Reports in France last week said Vieira had agreed to a three-year contract, and Vieira confirmed his departure on Sunday night.

"I would like to thank City Football Group and New York City FC for the opportunity to have coached this tremendous football club," he said in a statement on Man City's website. "Leaving New York is an incredibly difficult decision for me and for my family and one that has not been taken lightly.

"From the beginning, City Football Group and its leadership, particularly our Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Brian Marwood, Ferran Soriano and Marty Edelman have believed in me and have helped guide me through the last eight years of my career -- starting with my time as a player and ultimately culminating with my first opportunity to manage a first team."