# Patrick Vieira Named New Senegal National Team Coach

> By bgsvm · Published 2026-08-19 · Updated 2026-08-19
> https://lesportifplus.com/2026/08/19/patrick-vieira-named-new-senegal-national-team-coach/

The Senegalese Football Federation announced on Tuesday that Patrick Vieira, the former France international midfielder, has been appointed as the new head coach of Senegal’s national football team. Vieira replaces Pape Thiaw, whose tenure ended following Senegal’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup in the round of 32.

## Who Is Patrick Vieira and What Is His Coaching Background?

Patrick Vieira is a Dakar-born former France international who built a distinguished playing career as a midfielder before moving into management. His coaching resume includes stints at New York City FC in Major League Soccer, Crystal Palace and Nice, followed by spells at Strasbourg and Genoa in the French and Italian leagues respectively.

Despite his extensive club-level experience across three different countries, this appointment marks the first time Vieira has taken charge of a national team. His move to Senegal represents a significant shift in his coaching career, transitioning from club football to international management.

> The federation confirmed Vieira’s appointment as the successor to Pape Thiaw, closing the chapter on the previous coaching era.

## Why Did Senegal Change Coaches Now?

The coaching change comes directly after Senegal’s disappointing performance at the 2026 World Cup, where the team, known as the Lions of Teranga, were knocked out in the round of 32. That early exit brought an end to Pape Thiaw’s spell in charge, prompting the federation to seek a new direction for the squad heading into future competitions.

Vieira’s appointment signals the federation’s intent to bring fresh, internationally seasoned leadership to a team that will look to rebuild and refocus its ambitions on the continental and global stage in the coming years.

## Source

- [France 24 u0631u064au0627u0636u0629](https://www.france24.com/ar/%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B6%D8%A9/20260818-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83-%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A8-%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%85-%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%81-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%8A-%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%88) — France 24 u0631u064au0627u0636u0629

## Sources
- [France 24 u0631u064au0627u0636u0629](https://www.france24.com/ar/%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B6%D8%A9/20260818-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83-%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A8-%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%85-%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%81-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%8A-%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%88)