Patrick Vieira Appointed Head Coach of Serie A Club Genoa

Former Arsenal star Patrick Vieira has been named the new head coach of Genoa, a Serie A team. He previously led Crystal Palace to a 12th-place finish during his inaugural season with the club. The 48-year-old takes over a club currently positioned 17th in Italy’s top football division, holding a one-point advantage over the relegation zone. Vieira, who previously managed Crystal Palace and departed RC Strasbourg in July, replaces Alberto Gilardino, the former Italy striker who had held the managerial role since December 2022. During Gilardino’s tenure, the 2006 World Cup winner, Genoa secured victories in two of their 12 league fixtures this season and were eliminated from the Coppa Italia by Sampdoria following a penalty shootout. This appointment brings Vieira back together with Mario Balotelli, who joined Genoa last month. Vieira previously coached his former Manchester City and Inter Milan teammate at Nice, a Ligue 1 club, throughout the 2018–19 season. Balotelli has since stated that “disagreements with Vieira over tactics that led to his exit from the club in 2019.” In his playing career, Vieira achieved three Premier League titles and four FA Cups with Arsenal, in addition to winning trophies with AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Manchester City. He also contributed to France’s victories in the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship. Vieira retired from playing in 2011 and took on the managerial position at New York City in 2016. The former midfielder returned to Europe to manage Nice, guiding them to a seventh-place finish in Ligue 1 during his inaugural season, but was dismissed in December 2020. Vieira assumed the role of Palace manager in 2021, leading the Eagles to the FA Cup semi-finals. He was relieved of his duties in 2023 following a 12-game winless streak, subsequently joining Strasbourg as their initial appointment after BlueCo, the company that also owns Chelsea, completed its takeover.