Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has been appointed as the new head coach of Serie A club Genoa.
The 48-year-old Frenchman takes over a team currently in 17th place in Italy’s top flight, just one point above the relegation zone.
Vieira, who left RC Strasbourg in July after a brief stint, replaces Alberto Gilardino, the former Italy striker who had been in charge since December 2022.
Under Gilardino, Genoa won only two of their 12 league matches this season and were eliminated from the Coppa Italia by Sampdoria on penalties.
The appointment also marks a reunion for Vieira with Mario Balotelli, who joined Genoa last month.
The two had previously worked together at French club Nice during the 2018-19 season, when Vieira was managing the team.
Outgoing coach Alberto Gilardino.
As a player, Vieira enjoyed an illustrious career, winning three Premier League titles and four FA Cups with Arsenal, in addition to trophies with AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Manchester City.
He was also part of the France squad that lifted the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship.
Vieira retired in 2011 and transitioned into management in 2016 with New York City FC. He later returned to Europe with Nice, guiding them to a seventh-place finish in Ligue 1 during his first season.
However, he was dismissed in December 2020. In 2021, Vieira took over at Crystal Palace, leading them to the FA Cup semi-finals before being sacked in 2023 following a 12-match winless streak.
Vieira’s days in Arsenal.
He briefly joined Strasbourg in 2023 as their first manager after the club’s takeover by BlueCo, the group that also owns Chelsea.
