Genoa President: I’ll Make Vieira and Balotelli Shake Hands and Reconcile
Genoa president Alberto Zangrillo has addressed the history of tensions between the club’s new head coach Patrick Vieira and forward Mario Balotelli, expressing confidence that the two can work together harmoniously.
The strained relationship between Vieira and Balotelli dates back to their time together at Manchester City during the 2010-11 season, where they were teammates. The pair reunited in France at OGC Nice, but their partnership took a sour turn. While Balotelli flourished under Lucien Favre, scoring 33 goals for the Ligue 1 side, his fortunes dipped when Vieira took over in 2018. Despite signing a one-year extension that summer, Balotelli failed to find the net in 10 appearances under Vieira and left the club in January 2019.
Zangrillo’s Call for Unity
The Genoa president, however, believes it’s time to put the past behind them. Speaking to reporters, Zangrillo struck an optimistic tone:
“They are both grown men. I believe all past conflicts should be left behind. If not, I’ll personally make sure they shake hands and reconcile,” he said. “Mario is smart and experienced now, and so is our head coach. This is Genoa—they’re here to work together, not clash.”
