Senegal announced Dakar-born France legend Patrick Vieira as their new head coach on Tuesday as they turned to the former Arsenal captain to lead them following Pape Thiaw’s post-World Cup dismissal.
The Senegalese Football Federation [FSF] confirmed Vieira’s appointment following an extraordinary meeting of its emergency committee, which took place via video conference on Monday afternoon.
“Following deliberations, the Emergency Committee unanimously approved the appointment of Mr Patrick Vieira as head coach of Senegal’s senior national team,” the FSF said in a statement. “This strategic choice marks a new stage in the FSF’s desire to establish a high-level technical structure fully aligned with our country’s sporting ambitions.”
The federation have acknowledged that discussions over the “administrative and contractual terms” of Vieira’s appointment remain ongoing, with no date yet given for his official presentation.
The 50-year-old was born in the Senegalese capital in 1976 before moving to northern France when he was eight.
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He won 107 caps for France, helping them win the 1998 World Cup and the European Championship in 2000, while also reaching another World Cup final in 2006.
Vieira was also part of the France team that was defeated by Senegal in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup.
At club level, he became an Arsenal great during nine years in North London, having been signed in August 1996 just before Arsene Wenger was unveiled as the Gunners’ manager.
He won three Premier League titles in the capital, and was part of the unbeaten ‘Invincibles’ side of 2003-04 before going on to represent Juventus, Inter Milan and Manchester City.
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His coaching career was not yet been as successful, with Vieira accumulating experience in the United States, England, France and Italy.
He began his managerial career with New York City FC before subsequently coaching Nice, Crystal Palace and Strasbourg.
His last managerial appointment was with Genoa, where he departed via mutual consent with the club at the foot of Serie A, in November 2025.
Joining Senegal represents his first foray into international management, and he’ll be charged with picking up the pieces after a rollercoaster World Cup campaign that culminated with the dismissal of head coach Thiaw.
The former Senegal midfielder had masterminded an apparent AFCON success in Morocco earlier this year after an extraordinary final.
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Thiaw’s decision to take the Teranga Lions off the field in the final, in protest at a refereeing decision, prompted criticism and debate with the match delayed for around 14 minutes before being restarted.
Following the lengthy stoppage, Morocco’s Brahim Díaz saw his Panenka-style spot kick saved before Pape Gueye scored the winner in extra time.
Senegal ultimately won the final on Jan. 18, but the Confederation of African Football announced on March 17 that the decision had been reversed and the title would be awarded to defeated finalists Morocco, ruling that the West Africans breached tournament regulations when they left the field of play without the permission of referee Jean-Jacques Ndala.
Senegal have appealed that decision and the case is currently with the Court of Arbitration of Sport with a hearing set for Oct. 8.
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After the AFCON controversy, Thiaw oversaw a World Cup campaign in which Senegal reached the knockouts despite losing their opening two matches. They took a 2-0 lead against Belgium in the round of 32 only to lose 3-2 in extra time following a stunning collapse.
Amidst allegations that the team doctor had been unqualified for his role, Thiaw was sacked by the federation, although his departure has developed into a financial dispute which remains unresolved as Vieira arrives.
The lingering uncertainty provides an awkward backdrop to Vieira’s appointment, but the new man will now be charged with overseeing the AFCON qualifying campaign, which begins in September.
Senegal have been drawn alongside Mozambique, Sudan and Ethiopia in qualifying as they look to reach next year’s AFCON.
