Senegal have turned to former France international Patrick Vieira to lead the national team, with the 1998 World Cup champion replacing Pape Thiaw after the country’s latest World Cup campaign.
Key takeaways
- Vieira was born in Senegal and will oversee the national side for the first time.
- The 50-year-old has previously managed New York City FC, Nice, Crystal Palace, Strasbourg and Genoa.
- Senegal’s federation wants a stronger technical structure to match its sporting goals.
- Thiaw’s tenure ended after a tournament that included defeats by France and Norway.
- Senegal are challenging the decision to remove their Africa Cup of Nations title, with a CAS hearing scheduled for October 8.
Vieira takes charge of Senegal
The Senegalese Football Federation described the decision to appoint Vieira as a strategic step designed to build an elite coaching setup suited to the nation’s ambitions in sport.
His immediate task is to breathe new life into a team still recovering from a heavy defeat by Belgium in the World Cup round of 32. Thiaw was removed from his position fewer than 14 days after that match. The former Senegal player, who was 45 at the time, had become head coach in 2024.
The FSF president said during the fallout from the tournament that the squad had been affected by a toxic atmosphere after Thiaw sought an increase to his salary.
Senegal, known as the Lions of Teranga, had already lost to France and Norway in the group phase. They nevertheless advanced to the knockout stage after defeating Iraq 5-0.
The federation confirmed on Monday that Vieira’s appointment had been formally approved. Its Facebook announcement showed the new coach smiling beside the words: “Welcome to Senegal, coach”. Details of his official unveiling will be announced later, with no date set so far.
Vieira’s playing and coaching career
Born in Senegal but raised in France from the age of eight, Vieira became a central figure in an outstanding Arsenal team that captured three English league titles from 1998 to 2004. He later continued his playing career in Italy with Juventus and Inter Milan.
After retiring as a player at Manchester City, he began his managerial development with New York City FC in 2016. Two years later, he moved to France to coach top-flight club Nice, where he remained until 2020.
Vieira, now 50, returned to English football in 2021 when he was appointed Crystal Palace manager. The Premier League club dismissed him in March 2023 following a 12-game sequence without a victory. He then had brief spells in charge of Strasbourg and Genoa in Italy.
At international level, Vieira earned 107 caps for France. He helped Les Bleus win the 1998 World Cup on home soil and also celebrated European Championship success two years later.
Dispute over Senegal’s continental title
During Thiaw’s reign, Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations final in January. The team was subsequently stripped of the trophy as a disciplinary measure after players left the field during a disorderly final against Morocco.
Senegal have lodged an appeal against that ruling. The Court of Arbitration for Sport is due to hear the case privately at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, on October 8.
