Patrick Vieira’s appointment as Senegal’s new head coach has been thrown into uncertainty, with the former France captain yet to sign a contract.
The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) announced Vieira as the successor to Pape Thiaw after approving his appointment on Monday. However, the federation said discussions over his contractual and administrative arrangements were still ongoing.
Vieira’s appointment comes amid internal problems within the FSF, including an unresolved dispute over Thiaw’s dismissal and a pending ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on the federation’s leadership.
Thiaw was sacked after Senegal’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup and is reportedly seeking about $815,000 in unpaid wages and bonuses.
Despite the uncertainty, Senegal must prepare for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, which begins against Mozambique on September 23.
For Vieira, the appointment represents a return to his country of birth. Born in Dakar in 1976, he moved to France as a child and went on to enjoy a distinguished playing career with Arsenal, Inter Milan and the French national team.
He also helped establish the Diambars football academy in Senegal, which has produced several international players.
Vieira now faces the task of rebuilding the Teranga Lions following a successful period that saw them win two Africa Cup of Nations titles.
However, his managerial career has been mixed, with previous spells at New York City FC, Nice, Crystal Palace, Strasbourg and Genoa producing varying results.
