Patrick Vieira lands new manager job but set for awkward reunion with former team-mate he found ‘difficult to work with’

ARSENAL legend Patrick Vieira has landed a new job with Italian side Genoa just four months after leaving Strasbourg.

The Gunners icon and former Crystal Palace boss, 48, spent just one year at Chelsea's sister club in France.

5

5

But Vieira is now returning to the beautiful game with Serie A strugglers Genoa.

They are 17th in the table, just one point above the relegation zone, after only winning two matches all season.

Former Italy striker Alberto Gilardino is set to be shown the door after nearly two years at the helm.

And Vieira has agreed to replace him with immediate effect.

READ MORE IN FOOTBALL

EM-BELIEVABLE

Inside Arsenal's plans to turn Emirates into Premier League's biggest stadium

FESTIVE TREAT

Win a 3 bed lodge, Lambo AND £10k cash or £360k from just £1.61 with our code

Genoa’s squad is packed with talent including veteran Brazilian winger Junior Messias, Ukrainian playmaker Ruslan Malinovskyi and Croatian midfielder Milan Badelj.

Prime aces such as Portuguese striker Vitinha and Danish anchorman Morten Frendrup still have plenty of years in the tank.

While kids including Juventus loanee Fabio Miretti and ex-Arsenal defender Brooke Norton-Cuffy can provide some much-needed energy.

But there is one star name Vieira will recognise straight away.

Most read in Football

CRIS-MAS SPIRIT

Inside Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez' Christmas trip to Lapland

MOR OF THE SAME

Amorim reveals Rashford is still exiled at United despite 'wanting to play'

BALL OVER

Joshua Zirkzee 'splits from long-term model girlfriend'

EIGHT TO SAY IT

Emi Martinez's eight-word taunt at Jack Grealish revealed in new footage

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

Mario Balotelli, 34, only joined Genoa on a free transfer three weeks ago and is yet to score in two games.

The infamous forward played alongside Vieira at Manchester City for one year during the 2010/11 campaign.

5

5

5

Balotelli then found himself under the Frenchman’s management at Nice in 2018.

He reportedly turned up late to Vieira’s very first training session.

And after failing to score in 10 appearances, Balotelli’s contract was terminated midway through the season.

Vieira said at the time: “When it comes to Mario, I want to answer back, or just slam him up against the wall, or leave him hanging by his collar on the coat rack.

“But I can’t, as I’m no longer a player.”

Vieira has since opened up on his relationship with Balotelli.

He said in 2020: “Mario’s mindset was difficult for a collective sport.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

CORRIE BLIMEY

Corrie killer Richard Hillman RETURNS after 21 years - here's how soap did it

RIDE HORROR

Terrifying moment cable car ride collapses at Christmas fairground in Mexico

“The philosophy I wanted to put in place, the togetherness and work ethic I wanted to build, it was difficult for me to work with a player like Mario.

“It was really difficult for both of us to work together so we decided to go different ways.”

Patrick Vieira's career stats

Playing stats

• Cannes, 1993-1996: 61 games, 4 goals

• AC Milan, 1995-1996: 5 games, 0 goals

• Arsenal, 1996-2005: 405 games, 34 goals

• Juventus, 2005-2006: 42 games, 5 goals

• Inter Milan, 2006-2010: 91 games, 9 goals

• Man City, 2010-2011: 46 games, 6 goals

• France, 1997-2009: 107 goals, 6 games

• Trophies: Serie A (AC Milan); Premier League x3, FA Cup x4, Community Shield x3 (Arsenal); Serie A x4, Italian Super Cup (Inter Milan); FA Cup (Man City); World Cup 1998, Euro 2000, Confederations Cup (France)

Managerial stats

• New York City, Jan 2016-June 2018: P90 W40 D22 L28

• Nice, June 2018-Dec 2020: P89 W35 D22 L32

• Crystal Palace, July 2021-March 2023: P74 W22 D25 L27

• Strasbourg, July 2023-July 2024: P39 W14 D10 L15

• Genoa, Nov 2024-current: P0 W0 D0 L0