Former Newcastle United striker Antoine Sibierski has suggested that Patrick Vieira would be a success as the club's head coach.

The former Arsenal and France midfielder has been linked with the role at St James' Park, and he is believed to be on a four-man shortlist that has been drawn up by the Magpies.

Vieira has never managed a senior side before, but compatriot Sibierski feels that the 38-year-old, who is currently Manchester City's elite development coach, would do a good job on Tyneside.

"He's worked with the reserves at Man City and he has been learning the job. He expects one day to be a first team manager and I think he's had a lot of interest in the last few months and last year," Sibierski told The Chronicle.

"But he is looking forward to getting the right opportunity and getting the right club. I believe he could be a very interested or he wouldn't talk to Newcastle. Why not? He's young and hungry and he knows the Premier League perfectly and the French market which Newcastle are already very active in.

"I know Patrick and played with him for the French Under-21 team and at the Olympics. He should be on the shortlist. He is a big enough character to handle it. There's no doubt about that for me. He has the knowledge, he has the character, he's got everything to be a manager for a club like Newcastle United."

Newcastle are not expected to offer current boss John Carver the job on a long-term basis.