Vieira named new Senegal head coach

What the report says

Patrick Vieira has been appointed head coach of Senegal’s men’s national team, according to Nile Post, citing a move confirmed by the Senegalese football federation. The former Arsenal and France captain replaces Pape Thiaw, who was dismissed after Senegal’s last-32 exit at the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Vieira, who was born in Dakar before moving to France as a child, will now oversee the country of his birth.

The federation said the appointment is meant to strengthen its technical setup and align with Senegal’s sporting goals. Nile Post reported that terms of the contract and Vieira’s start date were still being finalized, but his first matches are expected next month in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. The publication also noted that his most recent coaching job was at Genoa, where he left by mutual consent last November.

Vieira brings a high-profile playing and coaching background. He won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 with France and had a long club career before moving into management at New York City, Nice, Crystal Palace and Strasbourg. The change comes amid continuing attention around Senegal’s national team, which had already been in the spotlight after controversy surrounding Thiaw’s exit during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.