Patrick Vieira has been confirmed as the new head coach of Senegal's men's national team, taking over a role left vacant after Pape Thiaw's dismissal following the country's last-32 exit at the 2026 World Cup. The 50-year-old former Arsenal and France captain now returns to manage the nation where he was born, having left Dakar for France at the age of eight before going on to become one of the most decorated midfielders of his generation.
Senegal's football federation confirmed the appointment, describing it as part of an effort to strengthen the technical set-up around the national team and stating that Vieira's profile aligns closely with the federation's broader sporting goals. His first competitive assignment will be Senegal's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, which begins next month..
Vieira's last managerial job came at Genoa, where he left in November 2025 after a difficult spell in Serie A. Before that, he managed Crystal Palace, Nice, Strasbourg and New York City FC, as well as Manchester City's development side.”
As a player, Vieira built his reputation primarily at Arsenal, where he won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups, adding further honours during spells at AC Milan, Inter Milan and Manchester City. Internationally, he earned more than 100 caps for France, winning the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship two years later. After retiring in 2011, his managerial career began with New York City FC in 2016, before moves to Nice, Crystal Palace and Strasbourg across the following years, with mixed results at each stop including a run to the FA Cup semi-finals with Palace in 2021-22, and eventual dismissals at both Nice and Palace after difficult stretches of form.
Vieira inherits a Senegal side still dealing with the fallout of a controversial finish to the 2025 Afcon final under his predecessor. Thiaw's team walked off the pitch for around 17 minutes after Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty, before returning to see Brahim Diaz's spot kick saved and Senegal go on to win in extra time through Pape Gueye. Senegal are also still challenging CAF's decision to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco after the controversial final. They have since taken the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with a hearing on their appeal scheduled for 8 October ; a case that will run alongside the early weeks of Vieira's new role in charge of the team.
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