Senegal Sacks Coach Pape Thiaw After World Cup Exit, Vieira Linked as Successor
Senegal has dismissed national team coach Pape Thiaw following their early exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Patrick Vieira emerging as the leading candidate for the role.
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Senegal has sacked national team coach Pape Thiaw following the team's early exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to Legit.ng. The decision comes after a disappointing campaign that failed to meet expectations for the African champions.
Thiaw's dismissal marks the end of his tenure at the helm of the Lions of Teranga, who were eliminated before the knockout stages. The Senegalese Football Federation has begun planning for a new era, seeking a manager capable of restoring the team's competitive edge on the global stage.
Patrick Vieira, former Arsenal midfielder and current manager with experience at Nice and Genoa, has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Thiaw, reports Complete Sports. Citing French newspaper L'Equipe via Morocco World News, the outlet notes that federation officials are considering high-profile options, with Vieira topping the list due to his pedigree and international profile.
Vieira, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, has not yet commented on the speculation. The Senegalese Football Federation has not officially announced a replacement, but discussions are underway to finalize a new appointment in the coming weeks.