Patrick Vieira says it is "an honour" to become Senegal head coach, with the decision to take the job "one from the heart". The 50-year-old was born in the West African nation but subsequently represented France as a player, winning the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship with Les Bleus. The former Arsenal midfielder spoke of his "immense pride" to begin his first international job, following stints with New York City, Nice, Crystal Palace, Strasbourg and Genoa, at his unveiling by the Teranga Lions on Friday.
"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." Taking over after the dismissal of Pape Thiaw, Vieira inherits a Senegal side which exited the 2026 World Cup in dramatic fashion in the last 32, throwing away a 2-0 lead after 85 minutes against Belgium before losing 3-2 following extra time. Before that the Teranga Lions claimed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title with a 1-0 extra-time win over Morocco in January.
However, the ultimate destination of the trophy will be decided by the Court of Arbitration for Sport after a walk-off by some Senegal players and staff protesting against a penalty decision in the final resulted in the trophy being handed to the North African hosts instead in March. "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." Vieira plans to build a side with "a very precise structure" which can play with "intensity and aggression".
"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.
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