Patrick Vieira appointed head coach of Senegal men’s national team

Patrick Vieira, the former France international and Arsenal captain, has been appointed head coach of the Senegal men's national football team. The Senegalese Football Federation announced the appointment on August 18, 2026, confirming that the 50-year-old will succeed Pape Thiaw, who was dismissed following the team's elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Vieira, who was born in Dakar, Senegal, on June 23, 1976, will take charge of a national team for the first time in his managerial career. The federation described the appointment as a strategic move aimed at establishing a high-level technical setup in line with the country's sporting ambitions. According to reports, Vieira is expected to sign a four-year contract tied to a long-term project known as "Vision 2030," which aims to elevate Senegalese football from grassroots development through to senior international competition.

The appointment closes a period of uncertainty that began when Senegal's previous coach, Pape Thiaw, was dismissed on July 11, 2026. Thiaw's tenure ended after the team's premature exit from the World Cup in the round of 32, where they lost 3-2 to Belgium after extra time after surrendering a...