Mario Balotelli has not yet played his first game for Genoa FC and could already leave the Italian club

In a surprising move, Genoa has parted ways with coach Alberto Gilardino, as confirmed by Sky Sport and other outlets. The former striker had been in charge since December 2022, leading the club to promotion to Serie A in 2023 and securing a comfortable survival last season. However, a series of injuries derailed the team’s start to the current campaign, leaving them with only six points from 10 matches. Despite a recent win over Parma and a draw with Como that seemed to signal a turnaround, the club’s management decided to make a change.

The decision appears to stem from “differences in vision” between Gilardino and the board, prompting the hiring of Patrick Vieira as his replacement. Vieira arrives with significant managerial experience, having managed in France with Strasbourg, Crystal Palace in the Premier League, and OGC Nice, where his path crossed with Mario Balotelli’s during the striker’s time at the French club.

Vieira’s appointment is a potential headache for Balotelli, who has joined Genoa as a free agent. Vieira, speaking to The Daily Mail, reflected on his difficult working relationship with Balotelli at Nice, stating, "His mentality is not suitable for a team sport. I wanted to build a philosophy based on unity and work ethic. It was very difficult to work with him, and it became impossible to manage the situation, so we decided to part ways."

In response, Balotelli opened up to SoFoot, explaining, "At Nice, I lived a dream, but I didn’t like Vieira's style of play. I had no problems with him personally, but we didn’t agree on football. If I hadn’t had these issues with him, I would never have left Nice. I was very happy there."

Now, both men are set to reunite at Genoa, with the club currently sitting 17th in Serie A and battling to avoid relegation. This could be a pivotal moment for both Vieira’s coaching career and Balotelli’s redemption.