Next Newcastle manager: Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira joins Steve McClaren among front-runners to replace John Carver

Vieira is currently part of the coaching staff at Manchester City

Taking the helm at Newcastle would represent Vieira's first full managerial role (Getty Images)

Patrick Vieira has joined Steve McClaren among the front-runners to become the next Newcastle manager, with John Carver facing an uncertain future at St James' Park.

The ex-Arsenal and Inter Milan midfielder is currently the manager of the Elite Development Squad at Manchester City, the club where he finished his playing career.

Steve McClaren remains the favourite for the job after the ex-England manager was sacked by Derby County at the end of the season, however leading bookmakers have now made Vieira their second favourite. David Moyes and Michael Laudrup are also in the running.

Carver faces an uncertain future at St James' Park (Getty) (Getty Images)

John Carver remains manager at St James' Park after taking the job in an interim capacity in January, but is thought to be unlikely to remain at the helm on a permanent basis after winning just three of the 20 matches he presided over.

A disastrous run of eight defeats in a row dragged Newcastle to the brink of relegation, and only a 2-0 final-day victory over West Ham and Hull's inability to beat Manchester United preserved the club's Premier League status.

It is expected that if the club do appoint a new manager this summer Carver will revert to the prominent coaching role that he occupied during the tenure of Alan Pardew before his departure for Crystal Palace.

If Vieira does take up the job it would be the 38-year-old's first full managerial post. The Frenchman enjoyed a glittering career as a player, winning the Premier League three times with Arsenal, Serie A twice, and a World Cup and European Championship with France.