Former Italy international and Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has reignited his long-standing rift with Patrick Vieira, following the Arsenal legend’s dismissal as head coach of Genoa.
Vieira’s sacking was confirmed on Saturday after a poor run of results left Genoa languishing at the bottom of the Serie A table, without a single victory this season. The Frenchman’s exit marks another setback in his managerial career, coming just two and a half years after his departure from Crystal Palace in the English Premier League.
Balotelli, who had previously clashed with Vieira during their stints at both Nice and Genoa, wasted no time in reacting to the news. The outspoken forward took to Instagram to post a series of messages celebrating the Frenchman’s dismissal, suggesting it was a deserved outcome.
In one post, Balotelli wrote that Genoa could now “focus on people who truly love the club,” directly tagging Vieira in his statement. He praised the efforts of former manager Alberto Gilardino and club president Alberto Zangrillo, accusing Vieira of mismanaging the strong foundation they had built.
The 34-year-old striker went further, declaring in another post that “Karma is a b*tch,” and adding, “God sees and provides,” in what appeared to be a personal jab at his former coach.
The tension between Balotelli and Vieira dates back to their time together at French club Nice between 2018 and 2020. Vieira had previously described the challenges of managing the volatile striker, citing issues with discipline and attitude.
Their relationship reportedly worsened during their brief reunion at Genoa last season, where Balotelli struggled for form and playing time under Vieira’s leadership.
Vieira’s latest sacking underscores his turbulent managerial journey, which has included mixed spells at Nice, Crystal Palace, and now Genoa.
Meanwhile, Balotelli—currently without a club—continues to attract attention as much for his social media outbursts as for his football career, maintaining his reputation as one of football’s most outspoken figures.
