Arsenal legend Vieira named new Senegal manager

Former Arsenal favourite has his first international job

Arsenal legend Vieira named new Senegal manager

Former France international Patrick Vieira has ​been appointed as head coach of Senegal.

Arsenal legend Vieira, 50, made over 100 appearances for France but was born in Senegal’s capital Dakar.

He succeeds Pape ⁠Thiaw, whose tenure ended after Senegal’s elimination from this year’s World Cup in the round of 32.

“Mr Patrick Vieira is the new coach of Senegal’s senior national ⁠team. The date of ​the ⁠official presentation and the next steps in his installation will be the subject of a ⁠subsequent announcement,” the Federation of Senegal said.

Vieira managed Crystal Palace in ‌the Premier League and French sides Nice and Strasbourg, while also spending a brief spell in charge of Serie ⁠A club Genoa.

One of France’s most decorated midfielders, Vieira was part of the team that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.

At club level, he is best known for his spell with ‌Arsenal, where he made more than 400 ​appearances and won three Premier League ‌titles.

His first matches in charge ⁠of Senegal will come in next month’s ⁠international window as the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations champions ‌continue preparations for ​the 2027 tournament.