Patrick Vieira is back in action. A free agent since the end of his stint at Genoa in November 2025, the 1998 World Cup winner was appointed manager of the Senegalese national team on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. At 50 years old, the former Arsenal captain takes charge of a national team for the first time in his career. The Frenchman succeeds Pape Thiaw, whose departure was decided after the Lions of Teranga were eliminated in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup. Vieira inherits a team that remains one of the benchmarks of African football and will now have to prepare for the upcoming major international tournaments, starting with the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Patrick Vieira chosen unanimously
The decision was made on Monday, August 17, during an extraordinary meeting of the Senegalese Football Federation's Emergency Committee, held via videoconference. Patrick Vieira's appointment was unanimously approved by the members participating in the meeting before being officially announced on Tuesday. The date of his official presentation and the next steps regarding the formation of his coaching staff are yet to be determined. Vieira replaces Pape Thiaw, who led Senegal at the 2026 World Cup. The Lions' run ended prematurely against Belgium in the round of 32, leading to a change of coach a few weeks later.
A return to his native country
This appointment holds special significance for Patrick Vieira. A French international with 107 caps, he was born on June 23, 1976, in Dakar, Senegal, before moving to France during his childhood. It was, however, with Les Bleus that he built one of the greatest careers in French football. He won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, and also reached the final of the 2006 World Cup. At club level, he became a key figure at Arsenal, where he wore the captain's armband. With the Gunners, Vieira notably won three English league titles. He was one of the cornerstones of the "Invincibles" team, crowned champions in 2004 without losing a single Premier League match.
A first experience leading a selection
After his playing career ended in 2011, Patrick Vieira quickly turned to coaching. He began his career at Manchester City before taking charge of New York City FC in 2016. He then continued his coaching career at several European clubs. He managed OGC Nice from 2018 to 2020, Crystal Palace from 2021 to 2023, and then Strasbourg from the summer of 2023. After leaving the Alsatian club in 2024, he joined Genoa in Serie A a few months later. His time in Italy ended in November 2025. Since then, Vieira has been without a club. Senegal now offers him his first experience as a national team coach.
The Lions are already preparing for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Patrick Vieira will not have a long observation period. Qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will begin during the next international window, with the first two matchdays scheduled between September 21 and October 6, 2026. The new manager will therefore quickly have to make his initial selections and assemble his squad. He will have a roster that includes many players from major European leagues. At 50, Patrick Vieira is thus opening a new chapter in his coaching career. Twenty-eight years after winning the World Cup with France, the former French international midfielder is taking charge of the national team of his birthplace.
