Senegal Name World Cup Winner Patrick Vieira New Head Coach

Senegal have appointed former France international Patrick Vieira as their new head coach, with the 1998 World Cup winner replacing Pape Thiaw, who was sacked following the country’s disappointing World Cup campaign.

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) confirmed Vieira’s appointment on Tuesday, describing the decision as a “strategic move” aimed at strengthening the national team’s technical structure.

The federation said the appointment was intended to “establish a high-level technical staff, in line with our country’s sporting ambitions”.

Vieira, who was born in Senegal, has been handed the task of rebuilding the Teranga Lions after their early exit from the World Cup.

Senegal’s campaign ended with a heavy defeat to Belgium in the last 32, following two group-stage losses to France and Norway. A 5-0 victory over Iraq had secured their progression to the knockout stage.

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Thiaw was dismissed less than two weeks after the tournament. The former Senegal international had been in charge of the national team since 2024.

The FSF president had previously said the team was affected by a toxic atmosphere during the World Cup, following a dispute over Thiaw’s demand for a salary increase.

Vieira, who won the World Cup with France in 1998, now returns to international management with the responsibility of restoring Senegal’s competitiveness on the global stage.

The appointment of Vieira, who grew up in France starting at age eight, was ratified on Monday, the FSF said.

The FSF’s announcement on Facebook was accompanied by an image of Vieira smiling and the message “Welcome to Senegal, coach”.

His official presentation as head coach will occur at a future, unspecified date, it added.

STORIED CAREER

Vieira was a key part of a superb Arsenal side which won the English league three times between 1998 and 2004, before moving to Juventus and then Inter Milan in Italy.

After ending his playing career at Manchester City, Vieira cut his coaching teeth at New York City FC from 2016 before taking over French top-flight side Nice from 2018 to 2020.

The 50-year-old returned to England as manager of Premier League side Crystal Palace in 2021 but was sacked in March 2023 after a 12-match winless run. He subsequently had short stints at Strasbourg and Italian side Genoa.

He played 107 times for France and won the World Cup in 1998 as well as the Euros two years later.

Under Thiaw, Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations final in January before being stripped of their title as a punishment for walking off the pitch during the chaotic final against Morocco.

Senegal have appealed that decision, with a hearing to take place behind closed doors at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland on October 8.

AFP