Patrick Vieira has been named the new head coach of Serie A club Genoa.
The former Arsenal midfielder joins the side that currently sits 17th in Italy’s top flight and replaces Alberto Gilardino, who had been in charge since December 2022.
Vieira, 48, was most recently in charge of Strasbourg until his departure in July. Prior to that season-long stint, he has managed Premier League side Crystal Palace and Nice in Ligue 1.
Genoa have won just two of their 10 league games so far this season and sit just a point above the relegation zone.
The Frenchman will reunite with Mario Balotelli at Genoa, with the 34-year-old striker returning to Serie A in the summer.
Vieira played alongside Balotelli at Inter Milan and Manchester City before managing him at Nice.
Il Genoa CFC comunica di aver affidato la conduzione tecnica della prima squadra a Patrick Vieira.
Il nuovo mister dirigerà nel pomeriggio il primo allenamento dopo la formalizzazione del contratto nella sede di Villa Rostan.
Dopo un percorso professionale, tra il 2011 e il… pic.twitter.com/jmp8m6guxr
— Genoa CFC (@GenoaCFC) November 20, 2024
Balotelli and Vieira’s frosty past
Balotelli and Vieira have endured a frosty relationship at the Ligue 1 side, with Balotelli suggesting disagreements with the boss over tactics led to his exit from the club in 2019.
The former Premier League winner said: “I lived in Villefranche, and it was crazy. I was smiling every day, I went to the sea every day. It was a dream life,” Balotelli said in an interview in April.
“The problem was that the way Vieira played didn’t really suit me. I got along well with him, but on sporting matters, I didn’t agree. If I hadn’t had these problems with him, I would never have left Nice.”
Vieira has himself spoken about the challenges he faced when managing the Italian striker.
The manager said at the time: “When it comes to Mario, I want to answer back, or just slam him up against the wall, or leave him hanging by his collar on the coat rack.
“But I can’t, as I’m no longer a player.”
He then opened up further in 2020, revealing: “Mario’s mindset was difficult for a collective sport.
“The philosophy I wanted to put in place, the togetherness and work ethic I wanted to build, it was difficult for me to work with a player like Mario.
“It was really difficult for both of us to work together so we decided to go different ways.”
Vieira’s managerial career
After retiring from playing while at Man City in 2011, Vieira took charge of his former club’s Development Squad in 2013 before managing New York City, who are owned by the City Group.
He led the MLS side to fourth and second-placed finishes before he was appointed Nice boss in 2017, leading them to seventh in Ligue 1.
Vieira’s new role came in the Premier League with Crystal Palace in 2021. He led the Eagles to 12th place and the FA Cup semi-finals in his first season in charge before he was sacked the following seaosn after a 12-game winless run.
The 1998 World Cup winner then returned to France to spend a season with Strasbourg, with Vieira the first appointment made by owners BlueCo, who are also in charge of Chelsea.
He was dismissed after 12 months in the role after a 13th-place finish.