Patrick Vieira Appointed Senegal Head Coach
Senegal have appointed former France international Patrick Vieira as the new head coach of the national team, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) confirmed on Tuesday.
The 50-year-old replaces Pape Thiaw, whose tenure came to an end following Senegal’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Teranga Lions were knocked out by Belgium in the last 32.
Vieira, who was born in Dakar, becomes Senegal’s coach for the first time in his managerial career. The FSF described the appointment as a strategic move aimed at building a high-level technical structure in line with the country’s sporting ambitions.
The former midfielder brings extensive experience from European club football. He previously managed New York City FC, Nice, Crystal Palace, Strasbourg and Genoa, but has never before taken charge of a senior national team.
Vieira is also one of the most decorated French footballers of his generation. He was a key member of France’s 1998 FIFA World Cup-winning squad and helped the country claim the European Championship two years later.
At club level, he is particularly remembered for his successful spell with Arsenal, where he made more than 400 appearances and won three Premier League titles.
His first major task with Senegal will be preparing the team for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The qualifying campaign is scheduled to begin in September, giving Vieira little time to prepare for his first international matches in charge.
The FSF said details regarding Vieira’s official presentation and the next steps in his appointment will be announced at a later stage.
The appointment marks a new chapter for Senegal as the country looks to remain among Africa’s leading football nations under the former World Cup-winning midfielder.
