Patrick Vieira appointed Senegal head coach

Senegal officially named French coach Patrick Vieira as their new national team head coach on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) confirmed. Vieira takes over from Pape Thiaw, who was recently dismissed alongside his staff following Senegal's elimination in the last-16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The experienced French coach has committed to a four-year contract with the Senegalese team, set to run until 2030.

According to reports, Vieira's monthly salary will be between 35–45 million CFA francs (approximately €53,000–€68,000), placing him among the higher-paid national team coaches on the continent. While the FSF's initial announcement confirmed Vieira's appointment, they stated that administrative and contractual formalities are still underway before his official presentation.

The appointment of Vieira signifies a new chapter for Senegal's national team, known as the Lions of Teranga. Senegal had previously reached the AFCON 2025 final but suffered a disappointing last-16 exit to Belgium during the 2026 World Cup. With Vieira at the helm, the team aims to fulfill the FSF's two main objectives: reaching the AFCON 2027 final and securing qualification for the 2030 World Cup.

Vieira, who won the 1998 World Cup with France and has managed clubs such as Crystal Palace, Nice, and Genoa, has been away from management since leaving Genoa in November 2025.