Genoa Appoints Patrick Vieira As New Head Coach Amidst Relegation Concerns

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Patrick Vieira has been appointed as the new coach of Genoa, a Serie A club announced on Wednesday. The former Arsenal captain takes over from Alberto Gilardino, who was dismissed after the team struggled in the league. Genoa currently sits just one point above the relegation zone with 10 points from 12 matches this season.

Gilardino's tenure saw only two wins in Serie A, and the team was eliminated from the Coppa Italia by Serie B side Sampdoria on penalties in the second round. Vieira, who has been without a job since leaving Strasbourg in July, brings extensive managerial experience to Genoa.

Vieira began his coaching career with Manchester City's Under-23 team between 2013 and 2015. He then moved to manage New York City FC in Major League Soccer before taking charge at Ligue 1 club Nice for two-and-a-half years. His most recent role was at Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

During his time at Strasbourg, Vieira managed 38 league games, securing 13 victories, drawing 10 times, and losing 15 matches. His average points per game during this period stood at 1.29. This appointment makes him the first French manager to lead teams in three of Europe's top five leagues in the current century.

At Genoa, Vieira will reunite with Mario Balotelli, whom he previously coached during their time together at Nice in the 2018-19 season. The Italian striker played under Vieira for ten matches during that period.

The announcement of Vieira's appointment comes as Genoa seeks to improve its standing in Serie A and avoid relegation threats. With his diverse experience across various leagues and teams, Vieira is expected to bring fresh strategies and leadership to the club.

This new chapter for both Vieira and Genoa holds promise as they aim to climb up the league table and secure better results moving forward.