Patrick Vieira Appointed Head Coach of Senegal National Team

Patrick Vieira is back on the touchline – and this time, he’s coming home.

The Senegal-born former Arsenal captain has been appointed head coach of the Senegal national team, stepping into the role after Pape Thiaw’s dismissal. Thiaw was removed from his post following Senegal’s exit to Belgium in the last 32 at this summer’s World Cup.

“Mr Patrick Vieira is the new coach of the Senegalese national A team,” read the federation’s statement, confirming the move. “The date of the official presentation and the next steps in its installation will be communicated at a later date. Welcome to Senegal, coach.”

For Vieira, it marks a new chapter after a restless few years in club management. The 50-year-old has been out of work since leaving Serie A side Genoa last November, ending a 12‑month spell in Italy.

His playing résumé needs little introduction. Vieira won three Premier League titles with Arsenal, anchoring Arsène Wenger’s great sides, and lifted both the World Cup and European Championship with France in 1998 and 2000. Few new international coaches arrive with that kind of medal collection.

His coaching path has been varied and demanding. Vieira cut his managerial teeth at New York City, then moved to Nice, where he began to shape his own identity on the touchline. A two-year stint at Crystal Palace followed, ending with his sacking by the south London club in March 2023. He then joined Strasbourg as head coach before taking the Genoa job.

Now comes his first international role – and a chance to turn pedigree into progress for a Senegal side still searching for a fresh spark after their World Cup disappointment.