I was born here, Senegal job is a homecoming – Patrick Vieira

Patrick Vieira has described his appointment as Senegal head coach as “an honour” and said taking charge of the Teranga Lions was “one from the heart”.

Vieira, 50, was born in Senegal but went on to represent France during his playing career, helping Les Bleus win the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.

The former Arsenal midfielder was unveiled as Senegal’s new head coach in Dakar on Friday, marking the beginning of his first international managerial role after spells with New York City, Nice, Crystal Palace, Strasbourg and Genoa.

“Being head coach of the Senegal national team is an absolute dream,” he told a news conference in Dakar.

“I was born here, my parents were born here, and it really is a homecoming.

“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.

“I realise the expectations of the people – all 20 million Senegalese. And I know that with the experience I have, with the determination I have, I’ll be able to see this project through.”

Vieira succeeds Pape Thiaw, who was dismissed after Senegal’s dramatic exit from the 2026 World Cup.

The Teranga Lions surrendered a 2-0 lead after 85 minutes against Belgium in the last 32 before eventually losing 3-2 after extra time.

Senegal had earlier won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title after defeating Morocco 1-0 in extra time in January.

However, the final destination of the trophy remains subject to a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport following a walk-off by some Senegal players and staff in protest against a penalty decision during the final. The trophy was subsequently handed to Morocco in March.

Vieira said Senegal’s progress in recent years had raised expectations around the national team.

“Today, Senegal is among the major nations in world football,” Vieira said.

“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.

“The demand for results has also stepped up. We need to lay solid foundations.”

The new coach said he intends to build a team around “a very precise structure” while demanding “intensity and aggression” from his players.

“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.”

Vieira will immediately face competitive fixtures, with Senegal continuing their qualification campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

The team has two qualifiers in the current international window, two more in November and the final two rounds in March 2027.

His first match was scheduled to be a home qualifier against Mozambique on Friday, September 25, but the fixture has been reversed because Dakar is preparing to host the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

Vieira’s most recent managerial position was at Genoa, where he was sacked in November 2025 following a difficult start to the Serie A season.