Former Arsenal and France captain Patrick Vieira has been appointed head coach of the Senegal national team.

The 50-year-old replaces Pape Thiaw, who was dismissed following Senegal’s last-32 exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Vieira, who was born in Senegal’s capital Dakar before moving to France at the age of eight, will now take charge of the country of his birth.

He enjoyed a distinguished international career with France, winning more than 100 caps and helping Les Bleus claim the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.

The Senegal Football Federation said Vieira’s appointment reflects its ambition to strengthen its technical leadership and pursue its sporting objectives.

Details of his contract and official start date are still being finalized, with his first competitive matches expected to come in September’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Vieira returns to international management after leaving Genoa by mutual consent last November.

He had guided the Italian club to safety and a 13th-place finish during the 2024-25 campaign, but left after a difficult start to the following season, having recorded only two victories.

The former midfielder also enjoyed a successful playing career at Arsenal, where he won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups, and collected major honors with AC Milan, Inter Milan and Manchester City.

As a manager, he has coached New York City, Nice, Crystal Palace, Strasbourg and Genoa, with his Palace side reaching the 2022 FA Cup semi-finals.

Vieira’s appointment comes as Senegal continues to deal with the fallout from the controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.

Senegal have appealed the decision that awarded the title to Morocco after the Confederation of African Football overturned the original result, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport scheduled to hear the case on 8 October.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu