Genoa have appointed former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira as their new coach, the Serie A club said on Wednesday.

The Frenchman has been out of work since parting ways with French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg in July, having previously managed Premier League club Crystal Palace.

Genoa sacked coach Alberto Gilardino on Tuesday, with the club hovering just one point above the relegation zone with 10 points from 12 matches this season.

Gilardino registered just two wins in Serie A this season, while the club were also knocked out of the Coppa Italia by Serie B Sampdoria on penalties in the second round. 

Il Genoa CFC comunica di aver affidato la conduzione tecnica della prima squadra a Patrick Vieira.

Il nuovo mister dirigerà nel pomeriggio il primo allenamento dopo la formalizzazione del contratto nella sede di Villa Rostan.

Dopo un percorso professionale, tra il 2011 e il… pic.twitter.com/jmp8m6guxr

— Genoa CFC (@GenoaCFC) November 20, 2024

Vieira began his managerial career with Manchester City's Under-23 team between 2013 and 2015 before he took over at MLS side New York City FC. He then spent two-and-a-half years at Ligue 1 side Nice before moving to Palace.

In his sole season at Strasbourg, the former France international won 13 of his 38 league games (D10 L15), averaging 1.29 points per game during his tenure. 

Vieira is now the first French manager to work in at least three of the five major European championships in the 21st century.

He will reunite with new signing Mario Balotelli, having coached the Italian striker for 10 matches when they were both at Nice in the 2018-19 season.