Arsenal legend Patrick Viera has been appointed new manager of Italian Serie A side Genoa FC.
The announcement was made by the club in a statement posted on its website on Wednesday, titled “Press Release – Vieira named new head coach.”
The statement said, “Genoa CFC announces the appointment of Patrick Vieira as first team coach. The new coach will lead his first training session this afternoon, after the formalization of his contract at the Villa Rostan Headquarters.”
A former French defensive midfielder, Vieira was a key member of Arsenal’s historic ‘Invincibles’ team that won the club’s third English Premier League title. He played alongside his 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 career that included a role as Executive Development Football at the Manchester City Academy from 2011 to 2015, Vieira also managed teams such as New York City, Nice, Crystal Palace and Strasbourg. Welcome, coach!
The announcement follows Genoa’s dismissal of former coach Alberto Gilardino, 42, following a disappointing start to the Serie A season.
“Génova CFC announces that Alberto Gilardino has been relieved of his duties” the club confirmed on Tuesday.
Gilardino, world champion with Italy in 2006, took charge of Genoa in December 2022 after coaching its under-19 team. He led the club to direct promotion to Serie A in 2023 and achieved 11th place last season.
However, the club currently sits in 17th place in Serie A, just one point above the relegation zone, with just two wins in 12 games.
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