Retired midfielder Patrick Vieira, who is currently the manager of Manchester City's U-21 squad, made it to the shortlist of prospected managers in Newcastle United's search for a new man to lead the club.

Vieira has helped Arsenal win three league titles and four FA Cups in his nine year tenure with the club before heading to Juventus in 2005.

In 2010, Vieira came back to the Premier League joining Manchester City and winning one more FA Cup in 2011 before officially retiring from the game.

According to reports, the Magpies trimmed the list to only four remaining candidates which includes Vieira.

Along with him, included in the shortlist to replace John Carver are former Derby County manager Steve McClaren and former Lyon manager and Arsenal defender Remi Garde, BBC reported.

Current Lekhwiya SC manager Michael Laudrup might be the fourth member of the list according to The Independent since he has been linked to the vacant position.

If the 38-year-old Vieira gets the job, he will be the fourth youngest active manager in the Premier League according to BBC.

Meanwhile, former Newcastle defender and present owner of Durham City A.F.C. Olivier Bernard believes Vieira is the perfect fit for the Magpies' vacancy.

"He's the best bet. Patrick has played the game and won the lot. His philosophy of football is very good and having been with [Arsenal manager] Arsene Wenger for many years he has ethics that are good enough to build on," Bernard the Newcastle Chronicle according to the Daily Express.

"It will be hard for him to be a better manager than a player because he has been one of the top players in the world. But he's got that work ethic which I like," he added.

Since Alan Pardew left, the Magpies have not had a real head coach with his former assistant Carver filling in and expressing that he wants the job permanently.

According to BBC Sports, interviews for the vacant managerial position start this week.