Patrick Vieira Named New Coach of Senegal

The Senegalese Football Federation confirmed the appointment of the former France international, stating that the official presentation and remaining installation details will be announced at a later date. The move marks Vieira’s return to management after he left Italian club Genoa in November 2025.

In its official statement the federation declared, “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.” Officials also extended a warm welcome, simply saying, “Welcome to Senegal, Coach.” The appointment ends a period of uncertainty for both the coach and the national side as they prepare for the next cycle of continental and global competitions.

Vieira brings a broad coaching résumé that spans several countries and levels of the game. He began with Manchester City’s youth setup between 2013 and 2015 before taking charge of New York City FC in 2016. He later managed Nice in France, Crystal Palace in the Premier League, Strasbourg, and most recently Genoa, gaining experience across Europe and North America that he will now apply at international level.

As a player Vieira earned legendary status as a commanding midfielder and captain for both Arsenal and the French national team. His transition into coaching has followed a steady path of development roles and senior positions, positioning him as a high-profile choice to lead one of Africa’s most consistent national teams. Senegal will look to him to build on recent achievements and maintain the country’s standing among the continent’s elite footballing nations.

With the formal unveiling still to come, attention now turns to how quickly Vieira can settle into the role and begin shaping the squad. The appointment signals ambition from the federation and offers the Teranga Lions a coach with both playing pedigree and varied managerial experience as they embark on this new era.