PATRICK VIEIRA has quashed suggestions he could take over at Newcastle United and insisted he has no intention of leaving his current job as manager of French club Nice.

Lee Charnley is keen to step up the search for Rafael Benitez’s successor this week, having spent the last few days compiling a shortlist of viable candidates.

Vieira is one of the people who have been under serious consideration, having guided Nice to a seventh-place finish in Ligue 1 last season.

The former France international also spent three years in charge of MLS side New York City prior to his appointment at Nice, but does not intend to make another managerial move this summer.

With British businessman Jim Ratcliffe poised to complete a takeover at Nice’s Allianz Riviera stadium, Vieira wants to remain in his current post for the new Ligue 1 season.

Speaking to the French media earlier today, he said: “I am at OGC Nice long term. I have no intention of going elsewhere. I’ve always felt good here and, with the people around me, I can’t see myself anywhere other than OGC Nice.”