According to multiple reports on August 18, 2026, former France international Patrick Vieira is in discussions to become the new head coach of the Senegal national football team. The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has been searching for a successor to Aliou Cissé, whose contract expired after the 2026 World Cup.
Vieira, 50, has been without a club since leaving Strasbourg in 2023. He previously managed Nice and Crystal Palace, and has also worked with Manchester City's youth academy. His playing career included stints with Arsenal, Juventus, and Inter Milan, and he captained France to victory in the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
However, the reports remain unconfirmed. The FSF has not made an official announcement, and Vieira's representatives have not commented. Some sources suggest that other candidates, including former Senegal defender Omar Daf, are also under consideration.
If appointed, Vieira would face high expectations, as Senegal is the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champion and a rising force in African football. His lack of recent coaching experience and the pressure of leading a star-studded squad could be a risk, but his pedigree and tactical knowledge make him an intriguing option.
