Patrick Vieira rises as the leading candidate for the position of head coach for Senegal.

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has initiated the hunt for a new head coach following the firing of Pape Thiaw, with former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira emerging as the top contender to take command of the Lions of Teranga. Thiaw was let go after Senegal's unsatisfactory exit in the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite holding a 2-0 advantage against Belgium, Senegal suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat in extra time. The Teranga Lions also faced losses to France and Norway during the group stage before convincingly defeating Iraq 5-0 to advance as one of the best third-placed teams. The FSF confirmed the decision after "a comprehensive assessment of the sporting outcomes and future of the national team." Vieira, who hails from Dakar, opted to represent France on the international stage, winning the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. Since transitioning into coaching, he has managed New York City FC, Nice, Crystal Palace, Strasbourg, and Genoa. The French publication L'Equipe indicates that Vieira enjoys considerable backing within the federation. His connections to Senegal are significant—he co-founded the Diambars academy, which has produced several Senegalese national team players, including Idrissa Gana Gueye. The new coach will take over a squad in search of stability following a challenging phase. Reports suggest that several veteran players have expressed dissatisfaction with Thiaw's coaching staff, with midfielder Pape Gueye publicly questioning decisions and announcing a hiatus from the national team while the current management remains. Restoring team cohesion will be the immediate focus. Other candidates for the position include Habib Beye, Omar Daf, and Herve Renard. Nevertheless, Vieira seems to be the federation's favored option. If appointed, he would make history as the first French coach to guide Senegal since Alain Giresse.