Patrick Vieira appointed Senegal head coach
Born in Dakar, the former France international returns to lead Senegal after a year without a club following his exit from Genoa.
Patrick Vieira has been officially appointed head coach of the Senegal national team, the federation announced on August 18, 2026. The decision reunites the former France international with his country of birth — Dakar — a connection that adds a personal dimension to his return to international football.
Many observers noted that Vieira’s birthplace in Dakar is not widely remembered from his playing days, and officials said the link to Senegal will be meaningful for both the new coach and the players when he assumes the role.
Coaching résumé
Vieira’s managerial career has covered several countries and clubs. He took his first coaching job in New York a decade ago, where he spent two years before moving to Nice. After another two-year spell there he was offered the opportunity to lead Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Between his time in England and his most recent role he also managed Strasbourg.
He has been without a club since last November, when he was dismissed by Genoa after 11 months in charge of the Italian side.
As a coach Vieira has not yet matched the heights of his playing career, and pundits often describe him as having been a far better player than manager. Still, his appointment to lead Senegal marks a notable step, and supporters will be watching to see how he adapts to the national-team game.
Photo: press material from the event
