Former Arsenal and France captain Patrick Vieira has been appointed head coach of the Senegal men’s national team, marking a major new chapter in the career of the World Cup-winning midfielder.
The 50-year-old replaces Pape Thiaw, who was dismissed following Senegal’s last-32 exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Born in Dakar, Vieira moved to France at the age of eight and went on to become one of the country’s most decorated footballers. He earned more than 100 international caps for France, winning the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) said Vieira’s appointment reflects its ambition to strengthen the national team’s technical leadership and compete at the highest level.
Details of Vieira’s contract and official start date are yet to be finalised. His first matches are expected to come next month when Senegal begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Vieira returns to his country of birth
Vieira takes charge of Senegal after leaving Italian club Genoa by mutual consent in November 2025.
He initially impressed during the 2024-25 Serie A campaign, winning eight and drawing nine of his 26 matches as Genoa secured safety and finished 13th.
However, the following season proved more difficult. Vieira managed just two victories in 25 matches, both coming in the Coppa Italia, before departing the club.
His appointment in Senegal represents a return to international football management for a coach with extensive experience across Europe and North America.
A decorated playing career
Vieira established himself as one of the Premier League’s outstanding midfielders during his time at Arsenal, where he won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups.
He also represented AC Milan, Inter Milan and Manchester City, collecting major honours before retiring from professional football in 2011.
At international level, Vieira was a key member of the France side that won the 1998 World Cup on home soil and the 2000 European Championship.
From New York to Crystal Palace
Vieira began his managerial career with New York City FC in 2016 before returning to Europe to take charge of Nice.
He guided Nice to seventh place in Ligue 1 during his first season but was dismissed in December 2020 following a difficult run of results.
In 2021, Vieira became manager of Crystal Palace. During the 2021-22 campaign, he led the club to 12th in the Premier League and the FA Cup semi-finals.
He was dismissed in March 2023 following a 12-match winless run.
Vieira subsequently took charge of RC Strasbourg, becoming the club’s first manager following its takeover by BlueCo, the ownership group behind Chelsea. He left Strasbourg by mutual consent in July 2024.
Vieira inherits a team surrounded by controversy
The new Senegal coach also takes over amid an ongoing dispute surrounding the country’s dramatic 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.
In January, then-manager Pape Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch after Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty.
The Senegalese players eventually returned after a delay of approximately 17 minutes. Morocco’s Brahim Diaz subsequently missed the penalty before Pape Gueye scored the winning goal for Senegal in extra time.
However, the outcome was later overturned.
In March, a Confederation of African Football appeals board declared Morocco the winners after ruling on Senegal’s walk-off.
Senegal have appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with the case scheduled to be heard on October 8.
Vieira therefore begins his Senegal tenure with both sporting ambitions and an unresolved off-field controversy to navigate.
For the former Arsenal captain, however, the appointment represents a unique opportunity: to lead the national team of the country where he was born and build a new chapter in Senegalese football.
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