De Rossi Takes Genoa’s Reign: A New Chapter Starts in Serie A

De Rossi takes Genoa helm

Genoa CFC, the eighteenth-placed club in Serie A, announced today that former Roma captain Daniele De Rossi will lead the first team, replacing French coach Patrick Vieira who was dismissed after a run of disappointing results. The 42-year-old, who most recently oversaw Roma’s succession of duties in 2024, returns to management after a hiatus and will take charge ahead of Thursday’s training.

Genoa stated in a brief formal release that De Rossi has been entrusted with the team’s football operation, having already met the players and planned the afternoon session. This marks the midfielder’s return to the bench after a brief spell in 2024, following a celebrated playing career with Roma (2002-2019).

Vieira’s departure comes after just four rounds of this season’s campaign, with Genoa struggling near the foot of the standings. Under Vieira, the club started slowly and had three draws and six defeats, accumulating three points before the coaching change. The decision to part ways came as Genoa sought a fresh start amid the season’s early turbulence.

Genoa’s fortunes appeared slightly brighter last Monday when they secured a 2-1 victory over Sassuolo in the tenth round, their first win of the season. The result pulled the club clear of the bottom spot and left them level on points (six) with Pisa in the relegation zone, occupying the seventeenth position before De Rossi’s arrival.

Vieira, a World Cup winner in 1998 and European champion in 2000, is regarded as one of the standout midfielders of his generation and a respected figure in European football. The Frenchman’s journey through clubs and roles has been long and varied, spanning Europe and North America, and earning him a reputation for leadership and a calm approach under pressure.

Born in Dakar in 1976, Vieira moved to France at the age of eight and began his professional career with Cannes before switching to AC Milan in 1995. At Arsenal, he became the core of the midfield under Arsène Wenger, contributing to a period of sustained success that included three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and the iconic 2003-04 season when Arsenal went undefeated in the league. His blend of defensive tenacity and playmaking ability established him as a club and international leader.

Vieira’s career later took him to Juventus in 2005, followed by a spell at Inter Milan where he won three Serie A titles. He concluded his club playing days with Manchester City in 2011 before moving into management, a path that carried him to New York City FC (2016), Nice (2018-2020), Crystal Palace (2021-2023), and Strasbourg (2023-2024). He took charge of Genoa in November 2024, a tenure that ended in October 2025 after continued struggles.

Despite ups and downs across several coaching stints, Vieira remains highly regarded for his tactical acumen and leadership in the dressing room. Many observers view him as part of a new wave of French coaches blending disciplined foundations with modern attacking ideas, influenced by experiences in England and abroad. optimism persists that Vieira’s next opportunity could provide the platform to demonstrate his full potential on the bench.

Punchlines aside, the real test now lies with De Rossi: can he translate his leadership from the pitch to Genoa’s dugout and steer the club away from danger while building a sustainable project for the future? Time will tell, but fans will be hoping for a smoother ride than the team’s recent form.

PUNCHLINE 1: If De Rossi can marshal Genoa’s midfield with the same calm he showed at Roma, the press conferences may finally become watchable instead of watch-while-blankly-staring at the match clock.

PUNCHLINE 2: Genoa hired a legend to fix the ship—let’s hope the weather forecast stays clear, because this voyage might actually require a compass and a good Wi‑Fi signal for those post-match interviews.