Patrick Vieira has said that former footballer Brian Marwood persuaded him to go into management.
The Frenchman was given the Manchester City Under-21s manager's job by Marwood in 2013, and will take over as New York City FC head coach on January 1.
"When I stopped playing I didn't know which way I was going to take," Vieira told New York City's official website. "I was lucky to have Brian Marwood next to me and guide me and open my mind on the managerial side.
"He pushed me to spend time with the kids at the academy at Manchester City and the more time I spent there the more I loved being around the players. I fell in love with the job.
"It's important to have people who believe in you, who can see a different side to yourself - Brian had a massive impact on where I am today."
New York City sacked Jason Kreis after he failed to lead the club to the MLS playoffs.
Jonathan McIntosh
