The Senegal National Team is going through a rebuilding phase after its participation in the 2026 World Cup. Following the departure of Pape Thiaw, the Lions of Teranga have already defined their next coach: Patrick Vieira. The French legend, of Senegalese descent, will take up his position with immediate effect, marking his first experience at the helm of a national team.
The news was confirmed by the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), which announced the appointment through its social media: "Patrick Vieira becomes the new head coach of the Senegal senior national team. Welcome to Senegal". Additionally, it clarified that the date of his official presentation will be communicated later.
Vieira arrives to replace Pape Thiaw, who left the position after the elimination of Senegal in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup against Belgium. The departure was confirmed by the Federation itself following a meeting of its executive committee, which justified the decision based on the evaluation of the team's performance and its future prospects.
The Frenchman now faces the biggest challenge of his coaching career. His journey began in the youth divisions of Manchester City and then he went on to coach New York City, Nice, Crystal Palace, Strasbourg, and Genoa, the club he managed until November 2025, when he was dismissed due to poor performances.
As a player, Vieira built a top-level career, representing prestigious teams such as Arsenal, Juventus, and Inter Milan. Additionally, he had a standout tenure with the French National Team, with which he was world champion in 1998 and won the Euro 2000.
In Senegal, his main objective will be to prepare the team for the Africa Cup 2027, which will be held in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The appointment thus marks a new chapter for the Lions of Teranga, who will seek to regain their best version under the leadership of one of the historical figures of French football.
Patrick Vieira's numbers as a coach
In his nearly 10 years as a first-team coach, the Dakar native has managed 328 matches, with a record of 120 wins, 88 draws, and 120 losses, and a total of 433 goals scored and 442 conceded.
