Patrick Vieira, the former Arsenal and France captain, has been named the new head coach of the Senegal men's national team. The 50-year-old takes over from Pape Thiaw, who was dismissed following the country's last-32 exit at the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
Born in Dakar, Senegal, Vieira moved to France at the age of eight and went on to earn over 100 caps for Les Bleus, winning the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship in 2000. Senegal's football federation (FSF) stated the appointment aligns with its "desire to strengthen its high-level technical staff" and national sporting ambitions.
Details regarding Vieira's contract and his official start date are currently being discussed. His initial matches in charge of the Teranga Lions are anticipated to be next month, during qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Vieira's most recent coaching role was with Genoa, which he left by mutual consent last November. He previously managed New York City, Nice, Crystal Palace, and RC Strasbourg.