Patrick Vieira praised Mikel Arteta's impact on Arsenal, saying the head coach had brought energy back to the club.
"I really don't know what the future will be, but doing this job it was like being a player," Vieira said.
"I wanted to play at a high level, I wanted to play for the national team, I wanted to go to the World Cup, I wanted to play with the best players and there is no doubt as a coach I have the same kind of ambition.
"I would want to manage a team that will have a chance to win the Champions League, to play the Champions League competition.
"But at the moment, honestly, right here at Nice I am in the perfect place, perfect place because I can fulfil my ambitions, the club is really ambitious and the club give me the tools to grow as a manager, but to be a part of a winning team and to play good competitions as well.
"The team is growing up really fast, really quick and hopefully I can get my ambitions with OGC Nice."
Vieira moved from Milan to Arsenal in 1996, spending the next nine years at the club, with a trophy haul that includes three Premier League titles and three FA Cups.