Patrick Vieira appointed as Senegal coach

Dakar (AFP) – Former French international midfielder Patrick Vieira, who was born in Dakar, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Senegal national team, replacing Babacar Tiao, who was dismissed after the 2026 World Cup, according to an announcement by the Senegalese Football Federation on Tuesday.

In a statement posted on social media, the Senegalese Football Federation said, “Mr. Patrick Vieira has been appointed as the new head coach of the Senegal senior national team. The official start date and next steps for his appointment will be announced later. Welcome to Senegal as our coach,” without disclosing the duration of his contract.

The first task for the 50-year-old, who won the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship with France as a player, will be to lead the national team in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which begin next month.

The Senegalese Football Federation described the appointment of the former Arsenal and Inter Milan star as a “strategic choice” that “marks a new phase in the federation’s efforts to establish a high-level technical staff, in line with the sporting ambitions of our country.”

The federation parted ways with Tiao after Senegal’s exit from the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup, following a 3-2 extra-time defeat to Belgium.

This appointment marks Vieira’s sixth managerial role, following spells at New York City FC, Nice, Crystal Palace, Strasbourg, and Genoa, where he departed in early November 2025.