Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivère has defended the sacking of Patrick Vieira.

The Arsenal great was axed by OGCN this week after a disappointing start to the season.

Rivere said: "We had been thinking for many months about how to advance this team with Patrick (Vieira).

"The two previous years had been quite special, then we had made the transfer window quite early. There were some things that didn't suit us in the management of the team.

"It was a long reflection that needed time to mature, it is not a whim."