Since leaving New York City FC to take up his first senior coaching role in Europe in 2018, Vieira has led Nice to seventh and fifth-placed finishes in the league.

Depending on the outcome of France's domestic cup competitions from the 2019-20 season, the former Arsenal, Juventus and Inter Milan midfielder could find himself with a UEFA Europa League campaign to orchestrate too next season.

Speaking as his players undergo a battery of medical tests and check-ups ahead of their scheduled return to training on Thursday, Vieira is bullish about his team's — and his own — abilities.

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"We finished seventh in the first season, fifth last season. The decision [to finalise the table on points per game] worked for us, but we did actually earn those points, we didn't steal them," he said at Nice's Allianz Riviera stadium. 

"I'm a lot more confident about what we're trying to put in place for this third season. I hope we'll continue to improve and I'll keep getting the most out of the players. I'm more confident. I know myself a lot better as a coach."

'Careful with expectations'

Last summer's purchase of the club by Jim Ratcliffe, owner of INEOS and rated Britain's richest man in 2018, has fuelled ambitions on the Côte d'Azur where Nice fans have been forced to look enviously at the success of neighbours Monaco in recent decades.

"Yes, but you have to be careful with expectations," warned Vieira. "It's a club that's growing. We know the path the club has come along in recent years. There are steps to climb and the club is climbing them. Everyone must be patient."

That will also be a virtue required before the 2020-21 campaign finally kicks off. In the meantime, Vieira will look to prepare his squad on the training pitch with a summer camp scheduled in Divonne-les-Bains between 4-11 July.

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Malang Sarr, Arnaud Lusamba and Yanis Clementia are set to leave Nice with their contracts expiring at the end of June, and Vieira is keen to not only replace them but enhance his squad with some experienced summer arrivals.

"If you put the fifth place to one side and focus on our play, it's a mixed bag. You have to understand that we have a very young squad and to do what we want to do needs some time. We have to be better physically. In terms of aggression too. That's why the players we've identified have to make up for that lack of experience at the highest level. They have to want to put in the effort on a daily basis. We're going to need talent, but also a lot more character to help these young players improve," said Vieira, who admitted Everton and former Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin would fit the bill.

"He's got a very interesting profile, and he's looking for a new challenge. He's got a very interesting profile for us…"

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