Mario Balotelli, the former Manchester City forward, has openly expressed his approval following the dismissal of Patrick Vieira as Genoa’s head coach.
Vieira, a celebrated Arsenal icon, was relieved of his duties at the struggling Serie A club on Saturday. Genoa currently sit at the bottom of the league table, still searching for their first victory this season. This marks Vieira’s exit roughly two and a half years after his tenure at Crystal Palace in the Premier League ended.
Balotelli had been brought to Genoa during Vieira’s management, but their previously unresolved tensions from their time together at Nice resurfaced, leading to a deteriorated relationship in Italy.
In response to Vieira’s sacking, Balotelli took to Instagram, posting: “Now Genoa can finally concentrate on those who genuinely cherish the club’s spirit, the supporters, and the badge, and who truly believe Genoa belongs at the summit!”
He continued, “The remarkable efforts witnessed under Gilardino and Zangrillo’s leadership were not in vain; rather, they were selfishly and poorly exploited by successors who failed to appreciate the dedication, respect, and passion invested.”
Balotelli emphasized, “The commitment and hard work of Gilardino and Zangrillo were taken for granted by those who didn’t grasp their true significance.”
He concluded his message with a rallying cry: “Let’s now focus on GENOA and its loyal fans! Forza Genoa! I believed in you then, and I continue to do so!”
Tagging Vieira in the post, Balotelli also shared a separate comment: “Karma is a b***h,” adding, “Divine justice watches and delivers.”
Balotelli, who has not featured for Genoa since mid-December due to a broken hand, parted ways with the club at the end of the season and is currently unattached.
The strained dynamic between Vieira and Balotelli dates back to their stint at Nice, where Vieira managed the team from 2018 to 2020.
Vieira has openly described Balotelli as a challenging player to manage, citing his lifestyle and individualistic approach as obstacles.
In a 2020 interview with Daily Mail Sport, Vieira remarked, “Mario’s mentality was tough to integrate into a team sport. The collective ethos and work ethic I aimed to instill clashed with his approach, making our collaboration difficult.”
He added, “Ultimately, it was best for both parties to part ways.”
Conversely, Balotelli reflected on his time under Vieira’s management, stating, “Living in Villefranche was incredible-I was happy every day, enjoying the sea and a dreamlike lifestyle.”
However, he acknowledged, “The tactical style Vieira employed didn’t align with my strengths. Although we got along personally, our sporting philosophies diverged. Had it not been for these differences, I might have stayed at Nice.”
