Senegal job an ‘absolute dream’ for new boss Vieira

Senegal job an 'absolute dream' for new boss Vieira. "Being head coach of the Senegal national team is an absolute dream," he told a news conference in Dakar.

What happened

Former France international Patrick Vieira, a World Cup winner in 1998, says taking charge of Senegal, the nation of his birth, is an "honour". Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Patrick Vieira (right) says he will work "heart and soul" to achieve success with SenegalPublished18 September 2026Patrick Vieira says it is "an honour" to become Senegal head coach, with the decision to take the job "one from the heart". "Vieira named new Senegal head coachPublished18 AugustTaking over after the dismissal of Pape Thiaw, Vieira inherits a Senegal side which exited the 2026 World Cup in dramatic fashion in the last 32, throwing away a 2-0 lead after 85 minutes against Belgium before losing 3-2 following extra time.

"Today, Senegal is among the major nations in world football," Vieira said. "Starting with two away tripsImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Vieira's time in charge of Senegal coincides with the international retirement of long-serving first-choice goalkeeper Edouard MendyVieira has been thrust straight into competitive action in qualifiers for the 2027 Afcon with two fixtures in this international window, two more in November and the final two rounds in March 2027. "Vieira was warmly received when he arrived in Dakar on Thursday evening, with video clips posted on social media showing him holding a Senegal flag aloft while shaking hands with a throng of fans gathered at the capital's airport.

"From the very first meetings I had with the [Senegal football federation] president, I accepted this challenge straight away, because there was also an exceptional generation of players.

The wider picture

"I realise the expectations of the people – all 20 million Senegalese. However, the ultimate destination of the trophy will be decided by the Court of Arbitration for Sport after a walk-off by some Senegal players and staff protesting against a penalty decision in the final resulted in the trophy being handed to the North African hosts instead in March. "Senegal's objectives aren't what they were 10 or 15 years ago. On the back of its recent results, Senegal has moved forward, has reached new levels.

"Vieira plans to build a side with "a very precise structure" which can play with "intensity and aggression". "Of course, I'd have preferred to play the first match here in Dakar but unfortunately, with the federation, we all felt the best decision was to postpone the match and go and play in Mozambique," Vieira explained. "Senegal will be without several notable names for the trip to Maputo and the subsequent away game against Ethiopia on 29 September.

Long-time number one Edouard Mendy, 34, has retired from Teranga Lions duty and Vieira said talismanic forward Sadio Mane will be absent with "a bit of a physical issue".

What has been reported

Despite previous speculation that Mane, also 34, could follow Mendy into retirement, Vieira said the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich man will "surely" be part of his next selection, fitness permitting. Right-back Krepin Diatta has been left out because he is currently without a club, while forward Ismaila Sarr, who is yet to feature for Crystal Palace this season because of transfer speculation and a groin injury, is also absent. 'No doubt' about his managerial abilityImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Vieira's most recent managerial role was at Genoa but he was sacked in November 2025 after a poor start to the Serie A seasonVieira's career as a player was trophy-laden but he has found the same kind of success hard to come by as a manager.

"When you talk about my coaching career, or a certain amount of experience, I've always been someone who stays positive," Vieira said. The 50-year-old was born in the West African nation but subsequently represented France as a player, winning the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship with Les Bleus. The former Arsenal midfielder spoke of his "immense pride" to begin his first international job, following stints with New York City, Nice, Crystal Palace, Strasbourg and Genoa, at his unveiling by the Teranga Lions on Friday.

"I was born here, my parents were born here, and it really is a homecoming. And I know that with the experience I have, with the determination I have, I'll be able to see this project through. Before that the Teranga Lions claimed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title with a 1-0 extra-time win over Morocco in January.

What happens next

"What matters to me isn't starting again from scratch," he added. "It's about respecting what the federation has put in place over the last few years and building the next stage, opening a new chapter. "A new chapter meaning my job isn't to tear everything down, it isn't to throw everything out of the window. "It's about keeping this team's strength: its identity, its unity, its ability to suffer together. "To make this project work, I'll need the whole nation united.

I'll work heart and soul to restore the team's pride. His stint in charge was due to begin with a home match against Mozambique on Friday, 25 September but the fixture has been reversed as Dakar is in the midst of preparations for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.