The appointment was confirmed by the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), which announced that the former France international will take charge of the national team
Patrick Vieira has officially been appointed as the new head coach of Senegal’s senior national team, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Teranga Lions.
The federation added that the date for Vieira’s official presentation, as well as details of the next steps regarding his 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 Arsenal and France captain to the country, saying: “Welcome to Senegal, Coach.”
The appointment brings to an end Vieira’s 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 French legend began his coaching career with Manchester City’s youth setup, where he worked with the club’s development squad from 2013 to 2015, before taking his first senior managerial role with New York City FC in 2016.
The midfield enforcer in his playing days 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.
The Arsenal legend has now embarked on the latest and biggest chapter of his coaching career, a new challenge at the international level as Senegal looks to build on their recent success and maintain their position among Africa’s leading football nations.
