Baloteli AWOL as Nice new coach Patrick Viera takes charge of first trainning session

Patrick Vieira officially took charge of his first training session as manager of OGC Nice on Monday morning, but there were two major absences as forwards Mario Balotelli and Alassane Plea both failed to report.

Arsenal legend Vieira left his role as head coach of MLS outfit New York City FC after two-and-a-half years last month in order to succeed Lucien Favre, who was headhunted by Borussia Dortmund.

He had also been linked with the vacant managerial post in north London before Unai Emery was appointed to replace Arsene Wenger.