Senegal have appointed France’s 1998 World Cup winner Patrick Vieira as head coach, the country’s football federation announced on Tuesday.
The Senegalese Football Federation, FSF, said the appointment was ratified on Monday and described it as a “strategic move” aimed at “establishing a high-level technical staff, in line with our country’s sporting ambitions.”
Vieira, who was born in Senegal but grew up in France, succeeds Pape Thiaw, who was dismissed less than two weeks after Senegal’s exit from the World Cup. The 45-year-old former Senegal international had taken over as national team boss in 2024.
FSF president said at the time that “toxicity” had surrounded the team at the World Cup after Thiaw demanded a pay rise.
Vieira’s main task will be to revitalise the team following Senegal’s bruising loss to Belgium in the last 32 of the World Cup. His official presentation as head coach and onboarding will occur at a future, unspecified date, the federation added.
As a player, the 50-year-old was a key part of Arsenal’s dominant side that won the English Premier League three times between 1998 and 2004. He also had spells at Juventus and Inter Milan in Italy before ending his career at Manchester City.
Vieira played 107 times for France, winning the World Cup in 1998 and the Euros in 2000.
He began his coaching career at New York City FC in 2016, before managing French side Nice from 2018 to 2020. He returned to England as manager of Crystal Palace in 2021 but was sacked in March 2023 after a 12-match winless run. He later had short stints at Strasbourg and Italian side Genoa.
Senegal Appoint 1998 World Cup Winner Patrick Vieira As Head Coach
