Senegal have appointed former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira as their new head coach, turning to the Dakar-born France legend to rebuild the national team after a disappointing World Cup campaign and the dismissal of Pape Thiaw.

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) confirmed Vieira’s appointment following an emergency committee meeting, describing the move as a “strategic choice” aimed at building a high-level technical structure aligned with the country’s sporting ambitions.

The 50-year-old replaces Pape Thiaw, who was dismissed after Senegal’s World Cup campaign ended in a dramatic 3-2 extra-time defeat to Belgium in the round of 32.

Vieira was born in Dakar in 1976 and moved to France at the age of eight. He went on to win 107 caps for France, lifting the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.

His coaching career also included spells with Nice, Crystal Palace, Strasbourg and Genoa, but his appointment with Senegal marks his first role in international management.

The FSF said the date of his official presentation and the remaining administrative and contractual details would be announced later.