Patrick Vieira has admitted that managing Manchester City would be a "fairytale" for the former Arsenal and France star.
The New York City FC boss led his team to the MLS playoffs in just his first season in charge of the North American club before falling to Toronto FC in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
And City have been amenable to the idea of Vieira joining NYCFC's parent club in a managerial role someday, which the Frenchman said he would welcome.
"This is the fairytale story," Vieira told reporters. "I don't look further than next year because in our world anything can happen. I am really pleased that people in this club think one day I can manage here.
"That makes me proud but at the same time we never know what's going to happen. I am happy to be part of the group because I love the people. They have given me the opportunity to do something I wasn't sure I was capable of doing. Maybe tomorrow, two, three years from now, I have an opportunity somewhere else.
"I'd sit down with Ferran [Soriano, the City chief executive] and Brian [Marwood, a senior City executive] and talk about it. Then they can tell me what they think."
MLS has been the perfect proving ground for Vieira -- away from the intense scrutiny and pressure which is inherent in the Premier League.
"It is a difficult world and I think it is more difficult now with the pressure you are getting to win or stay in the league because of the amount of money involved," he said. "I've made decisions I wouldn't be allowed to if I was managing a Premier League team because you're not given the time.
"For me, the problem was jumping from playing straight in to coach a first team. It's too difficult. If it was D.C. United or Atlanta I don't know [if I would have moved to the MLS] but one of the reasons I chose New York is that I am still in the City Football Group. You have to choose the right club with the right people. That can have an impact when things aren't going the right way -- especially when you lose 7-0."
And the legendary 40-year-old has enjoying his relative anonymity in the United States and Canada, which has led to some interesting encounters while travelling.
"I was sat next to a guy on one flight who asked me if I was some sort of sports player or coach," Vieira said.
"He was asking what I was doing, why I was there and other questions about the game, like how many players start. When he asked if I used to play, I said: 'Yeah, I used to.' I don't like to go into details. That's not me. I didn't show him my World Cup medal if that's what you're asking!
"You have some people who recognise the players or coaching staff but there are a lot who don't have a clue, who look at us and ask: 'What sport are you doing?'"