Patrick Vieira described his appointment as Senegal head coach as a ‘return home’ on Friday, as the Dakar-born World Cup winner was officially presented in the capital.
Footage shows Vieira arriving at a press conference, greeting Senegalese Football Federation President Abdoulaye Fall and posing with the national team shirt.
“It is a great source of pride for me to return to Senegal and become the head coach. I was born here, my parents were born here, so it is a return home,” Vieira said.
The former France and Arsenal captain takes over a Senegal side expected to challenge for major honours, with qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations his first test.
“We are expected to manage great players who play for the biggest clubs in Europe, and we are expected to win trophies. And that is also why I am here,” he stated.
Vieira said he wanted to build on the work already done rather than overhaul the team.
“It is important not to start from zero, but to respect what the federation has put in place over the past few years. It is about continuing that work, building a new stage and opening a new chapter,” he added.
Federation president Fall said Vieira fitted into its plans to build a stronger culture of excellence and knowledge transfer.
“Mr Vieira’s profile is perfectly aligned with the ambition we have for football within the framework of our PRAXIS strategic vision,” Fall added.
The 50-year-old succeeds Pape Thiaw and takes charge of a national team for the first time, after coaching clubs in the United States, France, England and Italy.
Born in Dakar before moving to France as a child, Vieira won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, earning 107 caps for France. He also captained Arsenal’s unbeaten ‘Invincibles’ to the 2003-04 Premier League title.
Source: Viory
