Senegal Dismisses Coach Thiaw, Vieira in Talks to Replace Him
After Senegal’s round-of-16 World Cup elimination (2-3 loss to Belgium in extra time), the Senegalese Football Federation fired head coach Pape Thiaw and his staff. The federation is now in advanced talks to appoint Patrick Vieira, a Dakar-born former France international and ex-Genoa manager, as his successor. The decision requires approval from Senegal’s Ministry of Sports. Vieira’s candidacy is seen as a move to revitalize the team amid Senegal’s ongoing political crisis.
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Senegal May Keep Pape Thiaw as Coach After Government Refuses to Fund Contract Termination
Senegal's national football team coach Pape Thiaw, whose departure seemed certain after a disappointing 2026 World Cup performance, may remain in his position due to a government funding dispute. The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) had planned to replace Thiaw with Patrick Vieira following the team's Round of 16 exit and subsequent controversies over internal organization and financial management. However, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Djireye Clotilde Coly, informed the FSF that the state refuses to pay Thiaw's emoluments because his contract, signed on June 22, 2026 in New Jersey, never received official state approval. The contract includes a monthly salary of 30 million FCFA (about 46,000 euros) and a signing bonus of 120 million FCFA. This decision leaves the FSF in a difficult position, potentially forcing them to keep Thiaw or find alternative funding for his dismissal.
Patrick Vieira Close to Becoming Senegal National Team Head Coach
Foot Mercato exclusively reports that Patrick Vieira is close to becoming the new head coach of the Senegal national team. The Senegalese Football Federation has initiated procedures to dismiss current coach Pape Thiaw after a disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign. Senegal lost to France and Norway in the group stage, narrowly qualified by defeating Iraq, then blew a 2-0 lead against Belgium in the round of 32, losing 2-3 in extra time. Thiaw's personnel and tactical decisions were heavily criticized. Vieira, born in Dakar and a 1998 World Cup winner, has been unemployed since leaving Genoa. He previously coached New York City FC, Nice, Crystal Palace, Strasbourg, and Genoa. This would be his first national team role. Negotiations are progressing positively, but the federation must first resolve Thiaw's contract and obtain approval from the Ministry of Sports. Other candidates contacted include Hervé Renard and Omar Daf.
Senegal: Discussions with Patrick Vieira on Track to Become Next Coach
The Senegalese Football Federation is moving to replace head coach Pape Thiaw after a disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign, where Senegal led Belgium 2-0 in the round of 16 but lost 3-2 in extra time. Thiaw's departure still requires approval from the Ministry of Sports, which is conducting its own assessment. According to Foot Mercato, former Arsenal captain and 1998 World Cup winner Patrick Vieira, who is free after leaving Genoa, is the top candidate and discussions are progressing well. Vieira has previously managed New York City, OGC Nice, Crystal Palace, Strasbourg, and Genoa. Other candidates considered include Hervé Renard, while Omar Daf was never a serious option. The federation must first settle Thiaw's contract and obtain ministry approval before formalizing Vieira's appointment.
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Senegal Dismisses Coach Pape Thiaw and Entire Staff After World Cup Exit
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) announced on Saturday evening that it has initiated a procedure to terminate the functions of national coach Pape Thiaw and his entire technical staff. The decision followed a long Executive Committee meeting in Dakar, prompted by Senegal's elimination from the World Cup in the round of 16 by Belgium (2-3 after extra time). Thiaw had taken over as coach of the Lions of Teranga in December 2024. According to L'Équipe, former France international Patrick Vieira is a candidate with internal support to succeed Thiaw.
L'Équipe: Senegal Considers Patrick Vieira as Head Coach After World Cup Elimination
According to French media L'Équipe, Senegal's national football team is considering replacing head coach Pape Thiaw with former Arsenal and France midfielder Patrick Vieira after a disappointing World Cup campaign. Senegal was eliminated in the round of 32, losing 2-3 to Belgium in extra time, a result far below expectations. The Senegalese Football Federation will hold an emergency executive committee meeting in Dakar to review the team's performance and address organizational failures. Thiaw claims he renewed his contract during the tournament, but internal sources dispute this. Vieira, born in Dakar and founder of the Diambars youth training center in Senegal, has been without a club since leaving Genoa in November 2025. Key decision-makers view him as an ideal candidate to revitalize the national team amid Senegal's severe political crisis.
Senegal Considers Patrick Vieira to Replace Pape Thiaw After World Cup Exit
Following Senegal's round of 16 elimination from the World Cup against Belgium (2-3 after extra time), the Senegalese Football Federation will hold an emergency executive committee meeting in Dakar to review the team's performance. Coach Pape Thiaw's future is uncertain, as he claims to have extended his contract during the tournament, but internal sources dispute this. Some key decision-makers within the federation are pushing for Patrick Vieira to take over. Vieira, born in Dakar and co-founder of the Diambars training center in Senegal, has been without a job since leaving Genoa in November 2025. His profile is seen as ideal to revive the national team amid Senegal's political crisis.