Patrick Vieira becomes Senegal's new football coach as Teranga Lions start fresh journey

Patrick Vieira is now the new head coach of Senegal’s senior national team. This marks a fresh start for the Teranga Lions.

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) confirmed this appointment. They announced that the former France international will lead the national team.

The federation said they will share the date for Vieira’s official presentation soon. They will also provide details about his installation process in another announcement.

“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,” the federation said.

The FSF also welcomed the former Arsenal and France captain, saying: “Welcome to Senegal, Coach.”

This appointment ends Vieira’s time away from coaching. He left Italian club Genoa in November 2025. This new role opens a fresh chapter in his coaching career, which has taken him to England, France, Italy, and the United States.

Vieira began coaching with Manchester City’s youth team. He worked with the club’s development squad from 2013 to 2015. In 2016, he took his first senior coaching job at New York City FC.

The former midfielder then returned to France in 2018 to manage Nice. He stayed there until 2020. After that, he took over Crystal Palace in the Premier League in 2021. Vieira spent two seasons at Palace before leaving in March 2023. He then returned to France to manage Strasbourg during the 2023/24 season.

Next, he went to Italy, taking over Genoa in November 2024. He was in charge until November 2025.

Now, the Arsenal legend is starting a new and significant chapter in his coaching career. He faces a new challenge at the international level as Senegal aims to build on their recent success and keep their spot as one of Africa’s top football nations.