By Dorcas Francis Koji
Senegal have appointed former France international and 1998 FIFA World Cup winner Patrick Vieira as their new head coach, with the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) confirming his appointment on Tuesday.
Vieira, who was born in Senegal before growing up in France, succeeds Pape Thiaw, who was dismissed following the Teranga Lions’ disappointing campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The FSF described Vieira’s appointment as a “strategic move” aimed at building a high-level technical team capable of matching Senegal’s sporting ambitions.
His immediate task will be to revitalise the national team following their bruising 2026 World Cup campaign, which ended with a defeat to Belgium in the Round of 32. Thiaw was dismissed less than two weeks after Senegal’s elimination.
Thiaw, a former Senegal international, had been appointed head coach in 2024. His tenure came under further scrutiny during the World Cup after FSF president Abdoulaye Fall said a level of toxicity had surrounded the team, following reports of disagreements over salary.
The FSF said Vieira’s appointment was ratified on Monday. His official unveiling and onboarding will take place at a later date, which has yet to be announced.
Vieira brings extensive experience as both a player and coach. He was a key member of the celebrated Arsenal side that won three Premier League titles between 1998 and 2004 before moving to Juventus and later Inter Milan.
After ending his playing career at Manchester City, Vieira began his coaching career with New York City FC in 2016. He subsequently managed French Ligue 1 side Nice from 2018 to 2020.
The former midfielder returned to England in 2021 to take charge of Crystal Palace but was dismissed in March 2023 after the club endured a 12-match winless run.
Vieira later had brief spells with Strasbourg in France and Italian club Genoa before taking on the Senegal job.
As a player, Vieira earned 107 caps for France and was part of the national team that won the 1998 World Cup on home soil. He also helped France win the European Championship two years later.
The 50-year-old will now be tasked with rebuilding Senegal and restoring confidence as the country looks to maintain its status as one of Africa’s leading football nations.
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