Patrick Vieira named Senegal head coach, calls it an absolute dream job
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 18, 2026, 5:02 PM
Last updated Sep 18, 2026
Patrick Vieira has been appointed as the head coach of the Senegal national team, a role he calls an 'absolute dream'. At his unveiling in Dakar, Vieira expressed immense pride in returning to the country of his birth. He takes over after Pape Thiaw's dismissal, inheriting a team that recently exited the 2026 World Cup in the last 32 and faced controversy regarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations trophy. Vieira aims to build a competitive side with a focus on structure, intensity, and unity. His first matches will be away against Mozambique and Ethiopia as part of the qualifiers for the 2027 Afcon.
- •Vieira succeeds Pape Thiaw after Senegal's early World Cup exit.
- •Senegal won the 2025 Afcon title, but the trophy's validity is disputed.
- •Vieira plans to maintain team identity while integrating his strategies.
- •Edouard Mendy has retired, and Sadio Mane will miss early qualifiers.
- •Senegal's next matches are against Mozambique and Ethiopia this month.
- 5:02 PMYahoo Sports — Senegal job an 'absolute dream' for new boss Vieira
- 5:01 PMBBC Football — Senegal job an 'absolute dream' for new boss Vieira
"Former France international Patrick Vieira, a World Cup winner in 1998, says taking charge of Senegal, the nation of his birth, is an "honour".
"Former France international Patrick Vieira, a World Cup winner in 1998, says taking charge of Senegal, the nation of his birth, is an "honour".
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 18, 2026, 5:02 PMSenegal job an 'absolute dream' for new boss Vieira
Former France international Patrick Vieira, a World Cup winner in 1998, says taking charge of Senegal, the nation of his birth, is an "honour".
- BBC FootballSep 18, 2026, 5:01 PMSenegal job an 'absolute dream' for new boss Vieira
Former France international Patrick Vieira, a World Cup winner in 1998, says taking charge of Senegal, the nation of his birth, is an "honour".
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