Patrick Vieira appointed as new Senegal head coach
Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has been named the head coach of Senegal, marking his first international role.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Author: Steindy ( talk ) 01:25, 29 November 2009 (UTC)
Patrick Vieira has officially taken the helm of the Senegal national team, a move he described as a moment of great pride and honour. The 50-year-old, who was born in Dakar, will be formally presented this Friday, at which time he is expected to name his first squad.
The appointment serves as a profound milestone for Vieira, who left Senegal for Europe as a child. Despite his storied career as a France international, he has maintained strong ties to his homeland, including the establishment of a local football academy back in 2003.
"Honoured and proud to join Senegal as head coach of the national A team. I thank the Senegalese Football Federation for their confidence. I am looking forward to meeting the group and starting work together on the next steps. Let's go LIONS!" Patrick Vieira
Vieira inherits a team currently navigating a turbulent period. The Lions of Teranga are reeling from a painful World Cup exit, where they surrendered a 2-0 lead against Belgium, and a controversial Africa Cup of Nations campaign that saw them stripped of their title following a pitch walk-off during a match against Morocco.
There will be little time for a honeymoon period. Vieira faces immediate tests in upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Mozambique and Ethiopia. Meanwhile, the federation is preparing for a crucial October 8 hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, hoping to overturn the decision to strip them of their continental crown.