Vieira named new Senegal head coach

Patrick Vieira, the former Arsenal and France captain, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Senegal men's national team. The 50-year-old replaces Pape Thiaw, who was dismissed following Senegal's elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Born in Dakar, Vieira will manage the country of his birth, having moved to France at the age of eight before earning over 100 caps for Les Bleus and winning the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship in 2000.

Senegal's football federation highlighted the appointment as a move to bolster its technical capabilities and align with the nation's sporting ambitions. The specifics of Vieira's contract and his starting date in the role remain under discussion. His inaugural matches as Teranga Lions' coach are scheduled for the following month, during qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Vieira left his position as Genoa head coach by mutual consent in November last year, with Genoa finishing 13th in Serie A. However, he departed after securing only two victories in 25-26, both of which came in the Coppa Italia. During his playing days, Vieira claimed three Premier League titles and four FA Cups with Arsenal, as well as other honors with AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Manchester City.

He retired in 2011 and managed New York City in 2016 before returning to Europe, leading Nice to seventh place in Ligue 1 in his first season. He was sacked in December 2020 and became Crystal Palace's manager the following year, guiding the club to 12th in the Premier League and an FA Cup semi-final appearance in 2021-22. Vieira was dismissed in March 2023 following a 12-game winless streak, before joining RC Strasbourg upon the club's acquisition by BlueCo, the entity that owns Chelsea.

He departed Strasbourg by mutual consent in July 2024. Thiaw faced controversy in January when he led his Senegal team off the field following a stoppage-time penalty award in favor of Morocco in the 2025 Afcon final. The players eventually returned after a 17-minute delay, but Senegal was declared the winners when the Confederation of African Football reversed the final's outcome in March following Senegal's walk-off.

Senegal has lodged an appeal against the decision with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with the case set to be heard on October 8.