Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira lands new job as statement released
Arsenal legend Patrick Viera has a new job(Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal legend Patrick Viera has been appointed as the new Senegal head coach.
The Lions had been searching for a replacement for Pape Thiaw after he was sacked following a disappointing World Cup. Senegal went into the tournament as one of Africa's strongest sides but lost to both France and Norway in the group stage. A 5-0 win over Iraq was enough to drag them into the knockout stage, only to throw away a 2-0 lead against Belgium in the Round of 32 to crash out in a 3-2 defeat.
Thiaw was dismissed less than two weeks later and Senegal have since decided that Viera, who most recently managed Serie A side Genoa, is the best man for the job next.
A statement from the Senegal Football Federation (SFF) read: "The Senegalese Football Federation informs media professionals, the sporting public as well as national and international opinion that the official presentation ceremony of Mr. Patrick Vieira, the new coach of the National Team A, will be held on Friday, September 18, 2026 at 10:30 GMT, in the press conference room of the Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium, in Dakar.
"During this ceremony, the national coach will announce the official list of players called up for the upcoming international window, both preparatory and competitive.
Former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira(Image: Getty Images)
"The announcement of the squad will be followed by a Q&A session between the coach and representatives of the media. The Federation cordially invites all accredited media outlets to cover this event. For organizational and security reasons, the installation of joulists and technicians must be effective no later than 09:30 GMT."
Soon after Viera's appointment was confirmed, the Gunners icon said on Instagram: "Honoured and proud to join Senegal as selector for the national team A. I thank the federation Senegalese Football Team for their trust. I'm looking forward to meeting the group and starting work together on the next steps. Let's go LIONS!"
Senegal have three matches across the extended three-week international break. They travel to face Mozambique on Friday, September 25, make the trip to Ethiopia on Tuesday, September 29 and then host Comoros on Sunday, September 4 in Viera's first home match in charge.
Ex-Chelsea trio Eduoard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly and Nicolas Jackson are among the players Viera could chose, while Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr and Everton's Iliman Ndiaye have both shone in recent years.
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