Arsenal icon Patrick Vieira has been sacked by Serie A club Genoa after a calamitous start to the season, with the Italian side yet to win a single league match.
Tom Victor
11:32, 01 Nov 2025
Patrick Vieira at his final Genoa match.
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Arsenal icon Patrick Vieira has been sacked by Italian side Genoa.(Image: Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Patrick Vieira has been dismissed by Genoa following a dismal run which saw his side plummet to the foot of the Serie A table. The ex-Arsenal ace's final match at the helm was a 2-0 home defeat to newly-promoted Cremonese, leaving the Rossoblu winless and at risk of being cut adrift.
Jamie Vardy led the line for the visitors, but it was his strike partner Federico Bonazzoli who netted both goals in Cremonese's 2-0 victory on Wednesday. That result marked a nine-match winless streak for Vieira's squad to start the new season.
"Genoa CFC announces that Patrick Vieira is no longer the coach of the first team," Genoa said in a statement confirming the dismissal. "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.
"The technical leadership of the first team has been entrusted on an interim basis to Mister Roberto Murgita, assisted by Mister Domenico Criscito," they added. Genoa's next fixture is on Monday, away to Sassuolo.
Jamie Vardy's Cremonese handed Vieira his final Genoa defeat
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Jamie Vardy's Cremonese handed Vieira his final Genoa defeat(Image: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
Vieira had only penned a new deal with the Italian outfit this summer after being linked with a move to former club Inter Milan. Simone Inzaghi had recently departed Inter for Al-Hilal, but ended up being replaced by Christian Chivu - one of Vieira's team-mates when he played for Inter. Genoa began the campaign with a commanding 3-0 triumph over third-tier Vicenza in the Coppa Italia - also defeating Serie B outfit Empoli in the second round - but have been unable to replicate those successes in league competition.
They have managed just three draws and suffered six defeats from their nine fixtures, scoring just four goals - the joint-poorest attacking record across the division. Supporters expressed their frustration following the Cremonese reverse, whilst Vieira faced questions regarding his future immediately afterwards.
"You ask me a question like this after a match?," he said, as translated by Football Italia. "I understand it is your job, but this question makes no sense to me.
Genoa players in their defeat to Cremonese
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Genoa players in their defeat to Cremonese(Image: Getty Images)
"My worry is to try to find a way to win games. This is a difficult moment for all of us - and we all must accept the criticism that comes our way. For the rest, we'll see. Replying to this question now is not my style."
Vieira, 49, took control at Genoa in November 2024 after predecessor Alberto Gilardino departed with the club languishing in 17th position. He guided a resurgence during the latter half of the 2024/2025 campaign, earning a notable late-season draw with title-contenders Napoli en route to a mid-table finish.
Prior to the appointment, the World Cup winner steered Strasbourg to a 13th-place conclusion in Ligue 1 during his sole complete season in Alsace. He also spent over a year at the helm of Premier League outfit Crystal Palace, achieving 12th position in his one full campaign and bringing compatriots Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise to Selhurst Park.
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