French football legend Patrick Vieira has left his role as head coach of Genoa, the Serie A club announced on Saturday, following a disastrous start to the new season.

“Genoa CFC announces that Patrick Vieira is no longer first-team coach. The first team has been entrusted on an interim basis to Roberto Murgita, assisted by former Genoa player Domenico Criscito,” the club said in an official statement.

Genoa are currently rooted to the bottom of the Serie A table, with just three points and no wins from nine matches, marking the club’s worst-ever start to a top-flight campaign.

Tensions reached a breaking point after a 2–0 home defeat to Cremonese on Wednesday, prompting angry protests from fans and fuelling speculation about Vieira’s future.

Although Genoa initially dismissed sporting director Marco Ottolini on Friday and planned to retain Vieira, reports suggest the former Arsenal captain chose to resign from his position.

Vieira, who joined Genoa in November 2024, successfully guided the team to a mid-table finish last season, ensuring their survival in Serie A.

His departure makes him the second managerial casualty of the current Serie A campaign, following Igor Tudor’s sacking by Juventus earlier in the week.

Former assistant Murgita and ex-captain Criscito will now take charge of the team on an interim basis as Genoa seeks stability amid a turbulent start to the season.