Former Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli has publicly celebrated the dismissal of his former manager Patrick Vieira, reigniting their long-running feud following the Frenchman’s departure from Genoa.
Vieira, 49, was relieved of his duties on Saturday after a poor start to the Serie A season left Genoa bottom of the table and winless.
The Arsenal legend’s exit came less than a year after he took charge, having previously managed Crystal Palace and Nice.
Balotelli, who briefly played under Vieira at Genoa last season, wasted little time in reacting to the news.
Taking to Instagram, the 34-year-old shared a passionate post expressing support for the club and appeared to reference his strained history with the coach.
“Now Genoa can finally focus on people who truly love the atmosphere, the fans and the crest,” he wrote.
“The great work done by Gilardino and Zangrillo wasn’t wasted – it was just exploited selfishly by those who came after.
Mario Balotelli played in the Premier League with Manchester City and Liverpool
|
GETTY/PA
Mario Balotelli and Patrick Vieira pictured during their time at Manchester City
|
PA
“They took advantage of what had been built with hard work, respect and passion.
“Now let’s focus on Genoa and the Genoans! Go Genoa! Go boys! I believed in you, and I still do!”
In a separate post, Balotelli tagged Vieira directly, adding cryptic messages including “Karma is a b***h” and “God sees and provides.”
Mario Balotelli and Patrick Vieira were also teammates at Inter Milan
|
GETTY
Mario Balotelli won the Premier League with Manchester City in 2012
|
PA/GETTYHis comments have fuelled renewed attention on the pair’s history, which dates back to their time together at Nice.
The relationship between the two has long been fraught. During their spell in Ligue 1, Vieira openly criticised Balotelli’s professionalism, suggesting that his attitude made him a difficult fit within the team.
Speaking to Daily Mail Sport in 2020, Vieira explained: “Mario’s mindset was difficult for a collective sport. The philosophy I wanted to put in place—the togetherness and work ethic—it was difficult for me to work with a player like Mario. It was really difficult for both of us, so we decided to go different ways.”
Balotelli, however, has consistently rejected suggestions that he was a disruptive influence, describing their differences as purely tactical.
In a later interview, he said: “I got along well with him, but on sporting matters, I didn’t agree. The way Vieira played didn’t suit me. If I hadn’t had those issues, I would never have left Nice.”
The pair once shared dressing rooms as teammates, featuring together for both Inter Milan and Manchester City in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
Mario Balotelli was renowned for his antics on and off the pitch during his time with Manchester City
|
PABut their managerial relationship has been far less harmonious.
At Genoa, Balotelli’s season was cut short by injury in December, and he left the club at the end of the campaign. He remains without a team.
Vieira, meanwhile, departs Genoa after just 37 matches in charge.
His tenure began promisingly, guiding the side to a mid-table finish last season, but results have since collapsed.
A 2–0 defeat to Jamie Vardy’s Cremonese on Wednesday proved his final game, leaving the club rooted to the foot of Serie A and still searching for a first victory of the campaign.
Genoa officials have not yet named a replacement, but local media report that the board is exploring several options as they look to stabilise the team.
