What Went Wrong For Patrick Vieira At Genoa? Three Reasons Why Serie A Legend Failed In Liguria

Patrick Vieira left his role as Genoa head coach on November 1 with the Grifone rooted to the bottom of Italy’s elite soccer division. 

Vieira oversaw one of the worst Serie A starts in history. The Frenchman failed to win any of his nine games in 2025-26 and secured just three points.

After taking over at the Luigi Ferraris 12 months ago, the 1998 FIFA World Cup winner successfully avoided relegation last season. However, what went wrong for Vieira at Genoa this year?

📝 Genoa CFC comunica che Patrick Vieira non è più l'allenatore della Prima Squadra.

La società desidera ringraziare il tecnico e il suo staff per la serietà e la professionalità dimostrate nel corso del loro lavoro e formula i migliori auguri per il prosieguo della loro… pic.twitter.com/xwUK1E0Fge

— Genoa CFC (@GenoaCFC) November 1, 2025

Genoa’s Serie A Results Under Patrick Vieira In 2025/26

Patrick Vieira oversaw the poorest start in Genoa’s Serie A history this season. Three draws and six defeats were enough to see the club and head coach part way earlier this month.

His three draws came against Lecce, Como and Parma. Vieira lost six league games versus Juventus, Bologna, Lazio, Napoli, Torino and Cremonese.

The former AC and Inter Milan star did achieve two wins in the Coppa Italia. The Grifone beat Vicenza of Serie C and Serie B’s Empoli.

• 🤝 0-0 vs Lecce – Matchday 1
• ❌ 0-1 vs Juventus – Matchday 2
• 🤝  1-1 vs Como – Matchday 3
• ❌ 1-2 vs Bologna – Matchday 4
• ❌ 0-3 vs Lazio – Matchday 5
• ❌ 1-2 vs Napoli – Matchday 6
• 🤝 0-0 vs Parma – Matchday 7
• ❌ 1-2 vs Torino – Matchday 8
• ❌ 0-2 vs Cremonese – Matchday 9

Patrick Vieira’s Managerial Record At Genoa

After taking over at the Luigi Ferraris on November 20 last year, Patrick Vieira oversaw 37 games in all competitions. He registered 10 wins, 12 draws and 15 defeats.

Vieira’s points-per-game record stands at 1.14 and he saw his side score 38 times whilst conceding 41. In the 2024-25 campaign, the France legend won eight of his 26 league games securing a 13th-placed finish.

When he was hired, the Grifone were just one point above the relegation zone. His most notable victories came against Udinese (2) and Coppa Italia winners Bologna.

• 👔 37 games (35 in Serie A)
• ✅ 10 wins (8 in Serie A)
• 🤝 12 draws
• ❌ 15 defeats
• 📈 1.14 PPG

Who Will Genoa Hire As Head Coach?

Now Patrick Vieira has gone, who will be the next Genoa manager? A number of candidates have already been linked to the vacancy which includes Erik ten Hag, Ange Postecoglou and Thiago Motta.

The latter is FootItalia’s front-runner to replace Stefano Pioli at Fiorentina. Motta performed extremely well at Bologna before struggling at Juventus – whereby he was sacked in March 2025.

Roma Legend Daniele De Rossi is also in the reckoning. Reports suggest he would be willing to take over on a contract until the end of the season. That would automatically renew if survival can be achieved.

Roberto Murgita and Domenico Criscito will take charge of the matchday 10 clash against Sassuolo but De Rossi would well be in the dugout for the huge clash against Fiorentina on November 9.

What Went Wrong For Patrick Vieira?

• Lack Of Funds For New Signings

As far as Serie A transfers went in the summer, Genoa spent the least of all 20 clubs. In fact, all of the Grifone’s in-comings were either on loan of free signings.

Patrick Vieira perhaps wasn’t able to draft in his desired targets and had to rely on this method just to add numbers to his ranks at the Luigi Ferraris.

• Players Failed To Adapt To His Style Of Management 

Although in charge for a total of 35 league fixtures, it appears the players struggled to re-adapt to what Patrick Vieira wanted from them on the pitch.

The most notable issue stemmed from the lack of goals. Just four have been scored in nine matchdays which simply is not good enough.

Elsewhere, Vieira typically implements a methodical and possession-based approach which simply never came to fruition. Confidence and morale was at an all-time low and his exit was ultimately inevitable.

• Patrick Vieira Didn’t Change Tactics

Even though the 4-2-3-1 formation is one of the most common implemented in modern soccer, Patrick Vieira’s refusal to mix it up has proved costly.

Injuries have also played a burden to an extent but that hasn’t been the case in the last few weeks. Vieira could have changed how he set his players up in the hope of achieving greater results.

Naturally, that is not guaranteed to provide an upturn in fortunes but it would have highlighted his broader thinking and adaptation to try and turn the situation around.

Genoa’s Next Five Serie A Fixtures

Interim head coaches Roberto Murgita and Domenico Criscito will oversee the matchday 10 clash against Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium on November 3.

However, who will Genoa face in the league from matchday 11 onwards? Fiorentina are the visitors to the Luigi Ferraris on the weekend with a trip to Cagliari penciled in for November 22.

The next three league fixtures will see the Grifone play Verona at home, Udinese away before welcoming last season’s runners-up Inter Milan to Liguria.

As for Patrick Vieira, he’ll surely be wishing his former employers the very best of luck and who knows, he could return to a Serie A dugout soon with a fresher and newer approach to management.

• 🆚 Fiorentina (H) – matchday 11
• 🆚 Cagliari (A) – matchday 12
• 🆚 Verona (H) – matchday 13
• 🆚 Udinese (A) – matchday 14
• 🆚 Inter Milan (H) matchday 15