Genoa fires Vieira as Ottolini exits, interim duo to face Sassuolo

Genoa announced on Saturday that Patrick Vieira is no longer the club’s first-team coach, part of a broader shake-up that also includes the exit of sporting director Marco Ottolini as the Serie A side sits bottom of the table after a winless start to the season. The club placed Roberto Murgita in temporary charge, assisted by former defender Domenico Criscito, as Genoa prepare to face Sassuolo on Monday.

“Genoa CFC announces that Patrick Vieira is no longer the coach of the First Team,” the club said in a statement, adding its thanks to Vieira and his staff for their “seriousness and professionalism.” Italian reports said Vieira resigned, while the club framed the change as an immediate end to his tenure. Multiple sources said Ottolini is negotiating a mutual termination of his contract, with Diego Lopez, the former sporting director at RC Lens, expected to be his successor.

The decision follows a particularly poor run of results. Genoa have three points from their opening nine Serie A matches and have not won this season, including a 2-0 home defeat to Cremonese that provoked loud fan protests. The club occupies the last place in the table and is two points from safety. Vieira,...