Patrick Vieira will devote the final years of his brilliant career to helping City challenge for trophies and is calling time on his 13-year service with France.

As the much-decorated former Arsenal, Juventus and Inter Milan enforcer, who was 34 two weeks ago, resumed training this week, he vowed: "My focus is on City, nothing else."

The World Cup and European Championship-winning midfielder was controversially left out of the French squad for South Africa by now-departed coach Raymond Domenech.

Vieira, 34 two weeks ago, could only watch in dismay as France's campaign collapsed at the first hurdle to leave incoming coach Laurent Blanc with a major job on his hands.

Several France players lobbied for Vieira to be selected, but if former team-mate Blanc picks up the phone to dial Chez Vieira? "Non, non," says Patrick with a sad smile.

He said: "My target in the next few years is City. I want to do my best for the club, and I want to repay the trust of the manager, Brian (Marwood) and Garry Cook."

Vieira, who last played for France a year ago, signed from Inter in January in the belief that a regular place in City's side would see him lead Les Bleus last month.

He said: "I was there watching the games, hoping that France would do well. Obviously, they didn't.

I'm disappointed like every French person who loves the national team

 

"It was difficult not being with the team, but I didn't have the choice. It was a difficult moment. I think France are going through a tough period.

"We were expecting them to at least go through from the group to the first knockout round but they didn't do it."