Patrick Vieira appointed Senegal head coach

Senegal have appointed former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira as their new head coach, turning to the Dakar-born France legend to lead the national team into a new era following the dismissal of Pape Thiaw.

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) confirmed Vieira’s appointment after an emergency committee meeting, describing the decision as a strategic move designed to strengthen the national team’s technical structure and match the country's growing ambitions in international football.

After more than three decades after leaving Dakar for France, Vieira, 50, replaces Thiaw, whose tenure ended after Senegal’s World Cup campaign came to a disappointing conclusion with a dramatic 3-2 extra-time defeat by Belgium in the round of 32.

Born in Dakar in 1976, Vieira moved to France as an eight-year-old and developed into one of the country's most decorated midfielders.

He won 107 international caps and was part of the France side that lifted the 1998 World Cup on home soil before winning Euro 2000 two years later.

His club career made him a global football icon, particularly during a nine-year spell at Arsenal.

Vieira captained Arsene Wenger’s celebrated “Invincibles” side that went unbeaten throughout the 2003-04 Premier League season.

He won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups with the north London club before moving to Juventus in 2005.

He subsequently played for Inter Milan and Manchester City before moving into management.

His coaching career began with New York City FC in 2016, followed by spells at Nice, Crystal Palace, Strasbourg and Genoa.

The Senegal job will be Vieira’s first appointment in international management and represents a return to the country where his story began.

He inherits a team whose recent achievements have been overshadowed by controversy.

Senegal’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations triumph was later overturned by the Confederation of African Football after Senegalese players and staff left the pitch during the final against Morocco in protest at a refereeing decision.

CAF subsequently awarded the title to Morocco, while Senegal appealed the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with a hearing scheduled for 8 October.

Thiaw also came under pressure following Senegal’s World Cup exit.

The team reached the knockout stage but surrendered a two-goal advantage against Belgium before conceding again in extra time.

Vieira’s immediate challenge will be to restore stability and confidence while preparing Senegal for the next competitive cycle.

The Teranga Lions are due to begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign in September, having been drawn alongside Mozambique, Sudan and Ethiopia.