Patrick Vieira, a legend at Arsenal, has been named Genoa’s new head coach in Serie A.
The 48-year-old joins a team that is one point above the relegation zone and in 17th place in the Italian top flight.
Former Italian striker Alberto Gilardino, who has been in command since December 2022, is succeeded by the former Crystal Palace manager, who left RC Strasbourg in July.
Genoa, led by 2006 World Cup winner Gilardino, has only won two of their 12 league games this season before losing to Sampdoria on penalties in the Coppa Italia.
Vieira and Mario Balotelli, who joined Genoa last month, are reunited by the appointment.
During the 2018–19 season, Vieira oversaw his former teammate from Manchester City and Inter Milan at Nice in Ligue 1.
