Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has been named the new head coach of Serie A club Genoa.
The 48-year-old takes over a team currently in 17th place in Italy’s top division, just one point above the relegation zone.
Vieira, who parted ways with RC Strasbourg in July, replaces former Italy striker Alberto Gilardino, who had been in charge since December 2022.
Under Gilardino, a 2006 World Cup winner, Genoa won only two of their 12 league matches this season and were eliminated from the Coppa Italia by Sampdoria on penalties.
Vieira’s appointment brings him back together with Mario Balotelli, who joined Genoa last month.
The two previously worked together at Ligue 1 club Nice during the 2018–19 season, when Vieira managed his former Manchester City and Inter Milan teammate.
Balotelli has since stated that tactical disagreements with Vieira led to his departure from the club in 2019.
During his playing career, Vieira won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups at Arsenal, as well as silverware with AC Milan, Inter Milan and Manchester City.
Vieira also played a key role in helping France secure the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship.
After retiring in 2011, the former midfielder became the manager of New York City in 2016.
He later returned to Europe with Nice, leading them to a seventh-place finish in Ligue 1 during his first season, but was dismissed in December 2020.
In 2021, Vieira took over as Crystal Palace manager, guiding the team to the FA Cup semi-finals.
However, he was sacked in 2023 following a 12-game winless streak before being appointed as Strasbourg’s manager, their first under new owners BlueCo, the company that also owns Chelsea.