Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak believes Patrick Vieira's first season in the dugout shows why he will go on to become a successful manager.
• Curtis: Yaya doesn't take the cake
Vieira, who played for City before retiring in 2011, took over as the club's football development executive before moving into coaching as the boss of their elite development squad (EDS) last season.
And while the former France international did not win any silverware, Al Mubarak is encouraged by the progress he made and feels it proves why he has a bright future as a manager.
City finished fourth in the U21 Premier League but were beaten by Chelsea on penalties in the semifinals of the end-of-season playoffs.
They also reached the last eight of the UEFA Youth League and the Premier League Cup final, where they were beaten by Reading.
Al Mubarak told City's official website: "I have the highest regard for Patrick. He has been an incredible player and now he is becoming an incredible coach. I am very proud of him.
"His teams were all very competitive and he was able to push his team to the final stages in every tournament, which is a testament to someone that is a winner, that is well respected by both senior and junior players.
"I think Patrick will have a very successful career in coaching. What he is doing here with the EDS will help him."