Patrick Vieira takes charge of Senegal after World Cup exit

Patrick Vieira has been appointed head coach of Senegal’s national team, the Senegalese Football Federation announced on Tuesday, handing the Dakar-born France captain his first job managing a national side.

The federation’s emergency committee unanimously approved the 50-year-old’s appointment during an extraordinary meeting on Monday. Contractual discussions remain underway, while the date of his presentation has not been announced.

Vieira replaces Pape Thiaw, who left after Senegal’s elimination by Belgium in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup.

A World Cup winner with France in 1998, Vieira previously coached New York City FC, Nice, Crystal Palace, Strasbourg and Genoa. The federation described his appointment as a strategic choice intended to strengthen Senegal’s technical leadership.

Vieira’s first assignment will be rebuilding the Lions of Teranga before qualification begins for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will host. Senegal’s next international window begins in September.