Vieira explains accepting Genoa offer; plans for Balotelli

Vieira was appointed as Genoa coach this week following the dismissal of Alberto Gilardino.

His first game in charge will be against Cagliari on Sunday.

Your first impressions?

“It was something between the club and me that happened very quickly. When I heard that there was the opportunity to coach a big club, I couldn't say no. The will to work and perform well is there. I have seen a group that wants to do well for the club. It is not easy to lose a coach who was happy with the players. He had a lot of respect for them and that will never change.

“I think Gilardino was a coach who was respected by the fans and players. He was a great player and that will never change. Now we have to look ahead and see what we can do to win games. I am happy with these days , given the desire to work and learn.”

Which type of Series A can you find? And can you find Mario Balotelli again?

I already expected that from the first question (laughs). Italian football has changed a lot, there are different players, but Serie A is a very difficult championship to play. It's not easy to win, but we have the quality to do well. I know Mario very well, he is a player and a person I like. He has to keep working and be available to the team to help them do well and win. He is an important player, but he has to keep working.”

Tactically you played with 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1.

“I have always used this kind of formations, the most important thing is how you play. You work and there will be some time, but Sunday's match is very important. We must remember that there is more to come. On Sunday we will I will to give everything to play a good match. I already know that not everything will be perfect, but I think what the players showed me made me happy.”

Do you see a Vieira in the current team?

“I don't like to talk about Vieira, the player, but about Vieira, the coach. That's the most important thing.”

What can be done about this Genoa?

“We will see later. Now we have to work on confidence, because a group without results lacks energy. There is quality in the group. It is a group that will be stronger if the players are available.”

Gilardino was very loved by the fans:

“The position of the fans will never change. Gilardino was a very important player and an important coach for Genoa. He was a very important person for the city. This will never change and I will not try to convince people. I believe that this club and the people are part of a family that I see from the outside that there is a relationship.”

Are you going to work more on the players' heads or legs?

“A player must be mentally healthy and we must be clear about his role and responsibility.”

The relationship with the club:

“It is important to have a relationship with the director and the club to get help in doing my job. When we talked about the idea of ​​the club, there was clarity about what everyone needed to do and I felt first good from a human point of view and then In terms of the clarity of what the club wants to do, I see a group with quality and that is ready to win games and when you put them together it is very interesting for the coach.”

Past experiences in Italy?

“When I arrived in Milan at the age of 18, I learned to be a footballer. I was lucky enough to be coached by Capello. I had important players around me who taught me a lot. I had a fondness for Italy because it was the place is where my career takes place as a player started.”

The market?

“For me, the market consists of players who are now injured. What I saw as the willingness to work and accept what a coach can bring was very positive. And this gives me joy. I have found a group of players with a very open mind and spirit.”

Can we expect any surprises?

“I will not change football (smiles). We will not play with twelve men. The most important thing is to put the players where they can express their qualities. Then there is something I can ask in terms of the game, But we have to win to have more confidence.”