Official : Genoa appoint new Chief of Football Lopez after startling Vieira exit

After the exit of coach Patrick Vieira, Genoa have officially appointed ex-Lens director Diego Lopez as their new Chief of Football, with Marco Ottolini expected to join Juventus.

It is a chaotic time for the Grifone, who are rooted to the foot of the Serie A table with only three points after nine rounds.

Although Lopez met with coach Vieira last night, a discussion that had seemingly reached an agreement to wait until next week before making any changes.

Overnight, Vieira reconsidered his position, and this morning the club announced he had departed by mutual consent.

All change at Genoa after nightmare start

Meanwhile, Lopez has been formally appointed as the new Chief of Football, having been head scout at AS Monaco, LOSC, Excelsior Mouscron, Bordeaux, and then director of sport at RC Lens.

“We trust his prerogative, both human and professional, to give an impulse to the sporting area strategy and to optimise the operative plans, both in the short and the long-term,” said President Dan Sucu and CEO Andres Bazquez in a statement.

“We welcome Diego Lopez and wish him good luck.”

Lopez also commented in the official Genoa press release announcing his arrival.

“I thank the owners and management for their faith in me. It is an honour to work for a club with such great tradition, wonderful fans, and a clear project on which action to take. Sporting ambition and identity must characterise our journey.

“I trust that I am up to the standards of the expectations of this great Club and wish to salute all those who care about Genoa.”

Meanwhile, director of sport Ottolini is negotiating the termination of his contract by mutual consent, and is widely expected to become the new director of sport at Juventus.