Genoa appoint Arsenal legend Vieira as head coach

Italian Serie A club Genoa FC has announced the appointment of former Arsenal and Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira as its new head coach.

The club made this announcement in a statement published on its website on Wednesday, titled “Press Release – Vieira Appointed New Head Coach.”

The statement read, “Genoa CFC announces that Patrick Vieira has been appointed as the head coach of the first team. The new coach will oversee his first training session this afternoon, following the formalisation of his contract at the Villa Rostan Headquarters.”

Vieira, a former French defensive midfielder, was a key member of Arsenal’s historic ‘Invincibles’ squad that clinched the club’s third English Premier League title. He played alongside French teammates Thierry Henry and Robert Pires, among others. Vieira also lifted the FIFA World Cup in 1998 with France.

The statement continued, “With a professional journey that included a role as Executive Development Football at Manchester City’s Academy from 2011 to 2015, Vieira has also managed teams such as New York City, Nice, Crystal Palace, and Strasbourg. Welcome, coach!”

The announcement comes following Genoa’s dismissal of former head coach Alberto Gilardino, 42, after a disappointing start to the Serie A season.

“Genoa CFC announces that Alberto Gilardino has been relieved of his duties,” the club confirmed on Tuesday.

Gilardino, a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, took charge of Genoa in December 2022 after managing their Under-19 team. He led the club to direct promotion to Serie A in 2023 and achieved an 11th-place finish last season.

However, the club currently sits in 17th place in Serie A, just one point above the relegation zone, with only two wins in 12 matches.