PATRICK VIEIRA is set to be sacked by Nice after his side were knocked out of the Europa League, according to reports in France.
The Ligue 1 giants slumped to a 3-2 loss at home to Bayer Leverkusen to crash out of Europe on Thursday.
Before the game, Nice ultras had surrounding the team bus in protest of Vieira with the club in a horror run of form.
Nice are also struggling domestically, currently sitting just 11th in the French top-flight.
Late on Thursday night – following the Leverkusen loss – L’Equipe journalist Bertrand Latour claimed Vieira is set to be sacked.
Latour tweeted: “P. Vieira is going to be removed from office.”
As yet there is no official confirmation from Nice.
Arsenal legend Vieira, 44, is under contract at Nice until the end of the season.
But with their European dreams ending and their Ligue 1 form atrocious, Vieira could be given the boot on Friday.
Nice have lost their last FIVE matches in all competitions, including big losses against Slavia Prague (twice), Monaco and even Ligue 1 basement boys Dijon.
After tasting defeat at the hands of Leverkusen, Vieira was quizzed over the furious fan protest – with the ex-Arsenal star admitting he ‘expected it’.
Viera said: “We expected it. The supporters are passionate, they love this club and it hurts them.
“We wanted to win this match to dedicate the win to them.
“The message of the dissatisfaction has been heard.
“We saw a reaction this evening but it’s still not enough to beat a team that was clearly better than us over the two encounters.”
Vieira took over the reins at Nice in 2018 in what is only his second managerial role.
The former France midfielder finished his career at Manchester City and was appointed boss of the Citizens’ sister club New York City in 2016.
Vieira had been linked with the Arsenal job before Mikel Arteta was appointed to replace Unai Emery.
