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Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira named new Senegal head coach ahead of 2027 AFCON
18th August, 2026 05:39 PM
Senegal have confirmed the appointment of former Arsenal and France midfielder Patrick Vieira as their new national team manager ahead of the fast-approaching 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (2027 AFCON) in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
In a statement released on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, the Senegalese FA said; “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. Welcome to Senegal, Coach.”
The position became available after Pape Thiaw was dismissed following Senegal’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup in July. Thiaw had been in charge since 2024 and guided the team through the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
Senegal won the AFCON final under Thiaw, although their championship was later revoked by the African football governing body 57 days after the final. The team’s appeal against that decision is expected to be considered by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in October.
At the 2026 World Cup, Senegal advanced from their group after finishing third but saw their campaign end in the opening knockout round, where they suffered a 3-2 defeat to Belgium.
Thiaw rued his team’s failure to hold on to its two-goal lead en route to elimination. The African giants suffered the worst implosion yet of the World Cup edition, spurning a two-goal lead to lose out 3-2 in extra time, just minutes from securing a historic berth in the competition’s round of 16 and a potential fixture with the USA.
In an interview after the clash, a forlorn and dejected gaffer admitted that the outcome was tough to take as he congratulated Belgium for their hard-fought victory.
“We are out; it hurts. We must congratulate the team, who gave it their all, but unfortunately, we were not able to hold on to our two-goal lead.
“Congratulations to the Belgian team, who have gone through. We have to accept this; that’s football,” he said to FIFA.
Vieira, who was born in Dakar, returns to football management after being without a club since leaving Genoa in November 2025. He spent 11 months with the Italian side before departing following a difficult start to their Serie A campaign.
The Senegal appointment represents another major chapter in Vieira’s managerial career. Before joining Genoa, he spent one season at Strasbourg and managed Crystal Palace from 2021 until 2023. His time in England ended when Palace dismissed him with the club only three points clear of the relegation places.
Vieira brings considerable experience from his playing career. He featured 307 times in the Premier League for Arsenal and Manchester City, winning three league championships with Arsenal between 1997 and 2004.
He also enjoyed international success with France, helping Les Bleus win the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
Now, Vieira will turn his attention to leading Senegal as the country looks to build a successful new era under one of its most prominent footballing figures.
