Patrick Vieira: Becoming Senegal Coach Is 'A Dream
September 19, 2026 ·
Patrick Vieira has been officially appointed as Senegal national team coach, expressing his pride in the role and his commitment to building a successful team.
Patrick Vieira: Becoming Senegal Coach Is 'A Dream
According to Bbc.
Background
Patrick Vieira, who previously coached European clubs, has now taken over the Senegal national team after the dismissal of Pape Thiaw. With his background as a former French international player and experience in Europe's top leagues, Vieira is expected to be able to optimize the potential of players such as Krepin Diatta and Ismaila Sarr to compete in El Mundial 2026.
Why this is important
The appointment of Patrick Vieira as Senegal national team coach marks an important step for Senegalese football, especially ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Vieira, who has Senegalese roots, is expected to bring new experience and vision to improve the team's performance, especially after their success at the 2025 African Cup of Nations.
Main Points
- Patrick Vieira: Being Senegal's coach is 'a dream.
- Patrick Vieira has been officially appointed as Senegal national team coach, expressing his pride in the role and his commitment to building a successful team.
- Patrick Vieira: Senegal job an 'absolute dream' for former Arsenal midfielder - BBC Sport.
Patrick Vieira revealed that being the coach of the Senegal national team is an "absolute dream" and an honor for him. The former French international, who was born in Senegal, took over as coach after the dismissal of Pape Thiaw. Vieira, who won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Cup with France, expressed his pride when he was introduced as the new coach of the Teranga Lions in Dakar.
"Being the coach of the Senegal national team is an absolute dream," Vieira said at a press conference. "I was born here, my parents were born here, and this really comes home. Since the first meeting with the president of the Senegalese football federation, I immediately accepted this challenge because there is also an extraordinary generation of players.
Vieira is aware of the expectations of Senegal's 20 million people. "With the experience and determination that I have, I am confident that I can make this project a reality," he added. Under Vieira's leadership, Senegal is expected to continue its success after winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and struggling at the 2026 World Cup. At the 2026 World Cup, Senegal experienced bad luck by being eliminated in the round of 32 after throwing away a 2-0 lead against Belgium, which ended in a 3-2 defeat after extra time.
"Today, Senegal is one of the great countries in world football. Senegal's goals are not what they were 10 or 15 years ago. "Based on the latest results, Senegal has progressed and reached a new level," said Vieira. The French coach is committed to building a team with a clear structure and can play with intensity and aggressiveness.
"The most important thing for me is not to start from zero, but to respect what the federation has done in recent years and build on the next stage, opening a new chapter. A new chapter means my job isn't to destroy everything. "It's about maintaining the strength of the team: identity, unity and the ability to suffer together," he stressed.
Vieira will soon face the first challenge of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with two matches in this international window, followed by another two matches in November and the final two matches in March 2027. Although originally scheduled to be played in Dakar, the match against Mozambique was forced to be moved to Mozambique, as Dakar is preparing for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
Senegal will compete without several big names, including Edouard Mendy who has retired from the national team and Sadio Mane who is experiencing physical problems. Despite speculation about the possibility of Mane following in Mendy's footsteps, Vieira confirmed that the Liverpool and Bayern Munich player would "definitely" be in the next selection if his physical condition allows.
Vieira, who has had a glittering playing career, faces challenges as a coach. He was sacked from Crystal Palace in March 2023 and did not have the same success while coaching Strasbourg and Genoa. "I always try to be positive in my coaching career. "That means you learn, and there is always something positive to take from the experience," Vieira said.
He was warmly welcomed on arrival in Dakar, with video showing him waving the Senegalese flag and interacting with fans at the airport. "I couldn't have had a warmer welcome. I saw the enthusiasm of the supporters and I thanked them. "Taking over this national team is not just a new stage in my career - it is a return home," concluded Vieira.
What happened next
In the future, Vieira will focus on building a solid team and preparing Senegal for future international competitions, including the 2026 World Cup. He is expected to utilize the potential of the current generation of players to achieve better results compared to their performance in FIFA WM 2026. With a clear vision and the experience he has, Vieira is determined to bring Senegal to a higher level on the world football stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Patrick Vieira reveal about the Senegal national team coach?
Patrick Vieira stated that being the coach of the Senegal national team was 'an absolute dream' and an honor for him.
Who confirmed that Patrick Vieira is the coach of the Senegal national team?
Patrick Vieira confirmed himself as the new coach of the Senegal national team when he was introduced in Dakar.
Why did Patrick Vieira take the position of Senegal national team coach now?
Patrick Vieira took over as coach following the sacking of Pape Thiaw and feels ready to face the challenge with an extraordinary generation of players.
What changes are expected under Patrick Vieira's leadership?
Under Vieira's leadership, Senegal is expected to continue its success and build a team with a clear structure and play with intensity and aggressiveness.
What are Senegal's goals at the 2026 World Cup according to Patrick Vieira?
Patrick Vieira stated that Senegal's goal at the 2026 World Cup is to continue the progress that has been achieved and compete at a higher level.