The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has officially confirmed the appointment of Patrick Vieira as the new head coach of Senegal's senior national team, the Teranga Lions. The announcement was made in a statement from the federation, which noted that further details regarding Vieira's official presentation and installation will be communicated in a subsequent announcement.
"Mr. Patrick Vieira is the new coach of Senegal's senior national team. The date of the official presentation and the next steps in his installation will be the subject of a subsequent announcement," the federation stated. The FSF also formally welcomed the former France international to the country, saying: "Welcome to Senegal, Coach."
Vieira's Coaching Career and Return to Management
Vieira's appointment ends his spell away from management following his departure from Italian side Genoa in November 2025. It opens a new chapter in a coaching career that has taken him across England, France, Italy and the United States. The former Arsenal and France captain began his coaching career with Manchester City's youth setup, where he worked with the club's development squad from 2013 to 2015.
He took his first senior managerial role with New York City FC in 2016. The midfield enforcer returned to France in 2018 to manage Nice, where he remained until 2020, before taking charge of Crystal Palace in the Premier League in 2021. Vieira spent two seasons at Palace before leaving in March 2023, and subsequently returned to France to manage Strasbourg during the 2023/24 season. He then moved to Italy, taking over Genoa in November 2024 and remaining in charge until November 2025.
New Challenge for Senegal's National Team
The appointment marks a new challenge at the international level for Vieira, as Senegal looks to build on their recent success and maintain their position among Africa's leading football nations. The Teranga Lions have been a dominant force in African football in recent years, winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021 and qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Vieira's experience across multiple top-tier leagues and his success as a player with Arsenal and the French national team are expected to bring a wealth of knowledge to the Senegalese squad. The federation has not yet announced the date for Vieira's official presentation or the next steps in his installation, but the confirmation of his appointment signals a new era for the team.
