Vieira appointed new Senegal head coach

Former Arsenal and France captain Patrick Vieira has been appointed head coach of the Senegal men's national football team, replacing Pape Thiaw, who was sacked following the country's last-32 exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Born in Dakar, Senegal, the 50-year-old moved to France at the age of eight and went on to win more than 100 caps for Les Bleus, lifting the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship. He will now take charge of the national team of his birth country.

Senegal's football federation said the appointment reflects its desire to strengthen its high-level technical staff and aligns with the nation's sporting ambitions. Details of Vieira's contract and starting date are still being finalised, but his first matches in charge are expected next month in qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Recent history

Vieira joins Senegal after leaving Genoa by mutual consent last November, with the Italian club then bottom of Serie A. He had guided Genoa to a 13th-place finish and safety during the 2024-25 season, but managed only two wins, both in the Coppa Italia, before his departure this season.

As a player, the midfielder won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups with Arsenal, along with further honours at AC Milan, Inter Milan and Manchester City. His managerial career has included spells at New York City, Nice, Crystal Palace and Strasbourg.

His predecessor, Thiaw, was embroiled in controversy in January when he led his players off the pitch after Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty in the Africa Cup of Nations final. Play resumed after roughly 17 minutes and Senegal ultimately won the match, but the result was later overturned in Morocco's favour by a Confederation of African Football appeals board in March. Senegal has appealed that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with a hearing scheduled for 8 October.