Patrick Vieira to link up with Mario Balotelli! Arsenal legend set to be named new Genoa boss as Serie A strugglers decide to sack Alberto Gilardino

Per Gianluca Di Marizo, the Italian outfit have decided to sack Gilardino after Genoa's poort start to the 2024-25 campaign. The Rossoblu have managed to win just two games out of their first 12 in the league and currently find themselves one point above the relegation zone.

The journalist further claimed that Genoa have already identified Gilardino's replacement as they are all set to appoint Arsenal legend Vieira as their next head coach. Vieira, who spent five years in Italy as a player at Juventus and Inter, will return to the country after 14 years away to take his first managerial role in Serie A.

The Frenchman will also reunite with former team-mate Mario Balotelli, who joined the Italian club as a free agent last month. Vieira and Balotelli shared a dressing room at Inter for three years and then at Manchester City in the 2010-11 Premier League season.

It remains to be seen if the club formally announce Gilardino's departure before their upcoming Serie A clash against Cagliari on Sunday.