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Senegal appoint former Gunner as their new manager

The Senegalese national team have confirmed the appointment of former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira as their new head coach.

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Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images

The Federation Senegalaise de Football (FSF) have confirmed the appointment of Patrick Vieira as their new head coach, writing that the date of the former Gunner’s official presentation and onboarding will be announced at a later date.

In their statement, the FSF report that their Emergency Committee convened and unanimously ratified the appointment of Vieira on August 17th.

They add that discussions regarding the administrative and contractual terms of Vieira’s appointment are ongoing, but it seems they’re sufficiently confident that those will be resolved to announce it to the public.

Crystal Palace's French manager Patrick Vieira (R) embraces Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta ahead of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 18, 2021. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images

Though he represented France as a player, Vieira was born in Dakar, the Senegalese capital, and he’ll now have the chance to lead the team from the nation of his birth.

Senegal had sacked their previous manager Pape Thiaw after their team’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup.

Thiaw had arguably led his side to AFCON success earlier in the year, but there’s an ongoing dispute over that victory.

CAF have ruled that Senegal forfeited the match when they left the field, but Senegal are appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. For now, Morocco are technically champions.

NORWICH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 09: Patrick Vieira, Manager of Crystal Palace looks on during the Premier League match between Norwich City and Crystal Palace at Carrow Road on February 09, 2022 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images

All the same, Vieira is taking over a strong Senegal team capable of competing for the 2027 AFCON trophy and making the latter stages of World Cup tournaments.

He’ll want to push to deliver on that potential once he officially begins work in his new role.

WATFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 24: Patrick Vieira the manager of Crystal Palace during the Carabao Cup second round match between Watford and Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road Stadium on August 24, 2021 in Watford, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
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