Senegal's football federation has appointed Patrick Vieira as head coach of the senior national team, bringing an end to weeks of speculation. The former Arsenal captain takes charge of a squad looking to rebuild after a disappointing World Cup campaign.
How Senegal's Federation Reached A Unanimous Decision On Vieira
The Senegalese Football Federation's Emergency Committee unanimously approved Vieira's appointment during an extraordinary videoconference session. The federation confirmed the decision in a statement and on its official social media account.
"Patrick Vieira is the new coach of Senegal's senior national team," the federation said. It added that details of his formal presentation would follow.
Vieira replaces Pape Thiaw, who left the role along with his entire coaching staff. The federation said the decision was based on the team's performance and its prospects for the future. Thiaw's departure came after Senegal was eliminated from the World Cup by Belgium.
The head coach position remained vacant for several weeks, with the federation not publicly naming a preferred candidate. Vieira and former Saudi Arabia and Morocco coach Hervé Renard both emerged as contenders during that period.
The federation chose Vieira. Talks over the administrative and contractual terms of his appointment are still ongoing. No date has been set for his first training session or match in charge.
Why Vieira's Appointment Marks A Personal Homecoming
Vieira was born in Dakar before his family moved to France when he was a child. Taking charge of Senegal brings him back to his country of birth for the first time in his coaching career. He arrived in Senegal in late July and held a series of meetings with federation officials.
During those discussions, he outlined his plans and vision for the national team.
Vieira's playing career, however, was with France. He won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 and earned 107 caps for the national team. At club level, Vieira played for Arsenal, Juventus, Inter Milan, and Manchester City.
He spent nine seasons at Arsenal, making 279 appearances and captaining the club from 2002 until his departure in 2005.
What Remains Unresolved Before Vieira Officially Takes Charge
The Senegal job is Vieira's first role in international football. All of his previous coaching jobs have been at club level. He began his coaching career with Manchester City's academy before taking his first senior job at New York City FC.
He later managed OGC Nice, Crystal Palace, Strasbourg, and, most recently, Genoa, where he finished his spell without winning a trophy. Vieira's first task with Senegal will be to oversee qualification for the next Africa Cup of Nations.
The qualifiers are expected to begin within weeks of his appointment being finalised. Details of his coaching staff, salary, and contract length have yet to be confirmed. The federation is expected to provide more information when his formal presentation is scheduled.
