Senegal have turned to one of football’s most decorated midfielders to lead the national team into a new chapter, with former France captain Patrick Vieira appointed head coach of the Teranga Lions.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) confirmed the appointment on its official social media platforms, announcing that Vieira will take charge of the senior national team. The federation said the date of his official presentation and the next steps in his installation will be communicated in a subsequent announcement.
“Welcome to Senegal, Coach,” the federation posted alongside a graphic celebrating Vieira’s appointment.
Born in Dakar, Vieira returns to the country of his birth more than four decades after moving to France as an eight-year-old. The 50-year-old now takes charge of a national team for the first time, signing a four-year contract as Senegal look to rebuild following their disappointing exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Vieira succeeds Pape Thiaw, whose tenure came to an end after Senegal’s last-32 elimination at the World Cup. The appointment represents a major step for the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), which says it wants to strengthen the technical structure of the national team and match the country’s growing ambitions on the international stage.
Few candidates bring Vieira’s playing pedigree. He earned more than 100 caps for France, captaining Les Bleus and playing a key role in the generation that lifted the 1998 FIFA World Cup on home soil. Two years later, he was also part of the French side that won the European Championship.
At club level, Vieira built a reputation as one of the finest midfielders of his generation. He won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups with Arsenal before adding major honours during spells with AC Milan, Inter Milan and Manchester City. He retired from playing in 2011 before embarking on a coaching career.
His managerial journey began with Manchester City’s development side before he moved to New York City FC, where he took charge in 2016. A return to Europe followed at Nice, where he guided the French club to seventh place in Ligue 1 during his first season.
Vieira subsequently managed Crystal Palace, leading the London club to 12th in the Premier League and the FA Cup semi-finals during the 2021-22 campaign. He later coached Strasbourg before taking over at Genoa in Italy. His time in Serie A ended last November by mutual agreement.
At Genoa, Vieira initially helped steer the club away from danger during the 2024-25 season, recording eight victories and nine draws in 26 matches as the side finished 13th. His second campaign proved more difficult, with the team struggling for results before his departure.
His first major assignment with Senegal is expected to come in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month. Vieira will inherit a squad packed with established international players and a footballing nation demanding success after recent disappointment.
His appointment also comes as Senegal continues to fight a separate battle over the controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco. The match was initially won by Senegal after extra time, but the result was later overturned by a CAF appeals decision following the controversial walk-off during the game. Senegal have appealed the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with the case scheduled for October 8.
