Vieira leaves Genoa after tough start in Serie A

Patrick Vieira has stepped down as Genoa head coach by mutual agreement, with the club sitting bottom of Serie A.

The former Arsenal captain, who was appointed in November 2024, departs after failing to secure a league victory this season.

In a brief announcement, Genoa confirmed that Vieira “was no longer the coach of the first team.”

Reports suggest that he initiated talks with the club on Friday evening, where both sides agreed to end his tenure.

Vieira took charge with Genoa in 17th place last season and successfully steered them to safety, recording eight wins and nine draws from 26 matches to finish 13th in Serie A.

This campaign, however, has been far more difficult. Genoa have managed just two wins in all competitions, both coming in the Coppa Italia, while suffering six defeats in their opening nine league fixtures, including five losses in their past six games.

“The club would like to thank the coach and his staff for the dedication and professionalism they have shown throughout their work and wishes them all the best for their future careers,” read Genoa’s statement.

As a player, Vieira enjoyed a glittering career, winning three Premier League titles and four FA Cups with Arsenal, along with domestic honours at AC Milan, Inter Milan and Manchester City.

He was also a key part of the France team that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.

After retiring in 2011, Vieira began his managerial career with New York City FC in 2016 before moving to Nice, guiding them to a seventh-place finish in his first Ligue 1 season. He was dismissed in December 2020.

Vieira later managed Crystal Palace, leading them to the FA Cup semi-finals in 2022, but was sacked the following year after a 12-game winless run.

He joined RC Strasbourg in 2023 as the club’s first head coach under new ownership by BlueCo, who also own Chelsea, but left by mutual consent in July 2024.