article_snippet.sent: Vieira has the backing of City players to replace Manuel Pellegrini should the club sack the under-fire manager.
article_snippet.sent: Vieira would be a candidate to take over from Manuel Pellegrini should the City board decide to make a change.
article_snippet.sent: City players have backed Vieira (left) to replace Manuel Pellegrini as manager of the club - if the latter at the helm of the Etihad Stadium outfit is sacked at the end of the season .
article_snippet.sent: And a collective of senior players would like to see the Frenchman given the reins if Manuel Pellegrini goes.
article_snippet.sent: And if the current Barclays Premier League champions decide to axe Pellegrini this summer, then Vieira is emerging as a strong contender to replace the South American.