Genoa have appointed Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira as their new head coach.
The Serie A strugglers confirmed the appointment of the former Gunners captain on Wednesday.
Genoa said Frenchman Vieira would take charge of his first training session Wednesday afternoon after signing his contract at the club’s headquarters in Villa Rostan.
The club sacked their coach, Alberto Gilardino, on Tuesday, just five days before a key Serie A match against direct rivals Cagliari.
A former France midfielder of legendary status who won the 1998 World Cup with his country, Vieira started his coaching career at Manchester City with the Elite Development Squad and then moved on to City Group-affiliated New York City FC.
He has also coached Crystal Palace in the Premier League, plus Nice and Strasbourg in France’s Ligue 1.
Vieira has Serie A football experience, having featured for AC Milan, Juventus, and Inter Milan, making 100 appearances in Italy’s top flight and scoring 11 goals.