Vieira takes over as new Senegal manager 

New role: Patrick Vieira has taken over the country of his birth. 

Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has been appointed as the new head coach of Senegal.

Senegal-born Vieira has been out of work since he was sacked as manager of Serie A side Genoa last November.

The 50-year-old, who claimed the Premier League title on three occasions for Arsenal alongside World Cup and European Championship triumphs with France in 1998 and 2000 respectively, replaces Pape Thiaw.

Thiaw was dismissed following Senegal’s defeat to Belgium in the round of 32 at the recent World Cup.

A statement on the Senegal national team’s X account read: “Mr Patrick Vieira is the new coach of the Senegalese national A team.

“The date of the official presentation and the next steps in its installation will be communicated at a later date. Welcome to Senegal, coach.” 

Following managerial spells with Nice and New York City, Vieira, capped 107 times by France, spent two years in charge of Crystal Palace.

He left Palace in March 2023 and joined Strasbourg as head coach the same year before a 12-month stint with Genoa.

PA