The former Arsenal captain and France international has been named the new head coach of Senegal's senior national team, succeeding Pape Thiaw.
Key facts
- •Patrick Vieira was born in Dakar, Senegal, and is a former captain of the Arsenal football club.
- •He succeeds Pape Thiaw, who was dismissed after Senegal's exit in the round of 32 at the World Cup.
- •Vieira’s most recent managerial role was at Italian club Genoa, where he served from November 2024 to November 2025.
- •During his playing career, Vieira won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000 with France.
- •The Senegalese Football Federation confirmed the appointment via a statement on the social media platform X.
Patrick Vieira has been appointed as the head coach of the Senegal senior national team, the Senegalese Football Federation announced on Tuesday. The 50-year-old, who was born in Dakar, replaces Pape Thiaw, who was dismissed following Senegal’s elimination in the round of 32 at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. The federation stated that details regarding Vieira's official presentation and his installation will be communicated at a later date.
By the numbers
Managerial Background and Career
Vieira’s coaching career began in Major League Soccer with New York City FC, where he served from 2016 to 2018. He subsequently managed Nice in Ligue 1 from 2018 to 2020 and Crystal Palace in the Premier League from 2021 to 2023. Following a stint at Strasbourg, Vieira most recently managed the Italian Serie A club Genoa from November 2024 to November 2025. During his time at Genoa, he led the team to a 13th-place finish in the 2024-25 season, ending 12 points clear of relegation, before departing after a winless start to the following campaign.
Playing Career Achievements
As a player, Vieira is recognized for his tenure as captain of Arsenal, where he made 406 appearances. He was a key member of the 'Invincibles' squad that secured an unbeaten Premier League title in the 2003-04 season and helped the club achieve league and FA Cup doubles in 1997-98 and 2001-02. Internationally, he represented France, contributing to the team's victories in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Guardian Sport, Anadolu Agency Sport.
