Patrick Vieira has delayed his official start as manager of the Senegal national football team. Appointed on August 18th, the former French midfielder has not yet taken up his role, with contractual details still being finalized with the Senegalese Football Federation.
According to media outlet La Voix+, Vieira demands the final signing of his contract before any public appearance. This caution stems from the difficult situation experienced by former manager Pape Thiaw, who worked for several months without a contract or salary after his previous deal expired in February. Senegal enters this transition period after a challenging 2026 World Cup, currently sitting third in their group with 3 points from three games.
Bakary Cissé, a member of the FSF's executive committee, confirmed that only a preliminary agreement currently binds the two parties. Discussions continue behind the scenes to finalize the last details of the 50-year-old coach's commitment. Vieira apparently wants to secure his situation before beginning his mission with the Lions of Teranga.
This cautious approach contrasts with the urgency to improve the team's performances. Senegal has conceded six goals and scored eight in their first three group stage matches, showing a goal difference of +2. The 3-2 defeat against Belgium on July 1st marked the start of a difficult run of results.
The crisis under Pape Thiaw erupted before the preparation camp for the 2026 World Cup in the United States. The coach initially refused to travel until his situation was resolved, before reversing his decision after intervention from the head of state. A few weeks later, during the competition, he threatened not to show up for the decisive match against Norway.
Senegal ultimately lost 3-2 on June 23rd. Thiaw, dismissed from his duties on July 11th, later sent a formal notice to the FSF claiming 647,000 euros in unpaid wages. According to SeneNews, the former manager is preparing a new claim approaching 600,000 euros, which could bring the total bill to over one million.
The Lions of Teranga are going through a difficult sporting period. Their recent form shows four defeats and only one win in their last five matches, with two consecutive losses. These results place the team in a precarious position in the World Cup standings.
Managing the transition between managers proves vital to stabilize the squad. Players need to regain confidence after this series of negative results. Checking our squad page shows the current composition of the national team.
Negotiations must conclude quickly to allow the new manager to officially take up his duties. Vieira will need to immediately focus on rebuilding the team after the contractual difficulties and inconsistent performances. His first task will be to prepare for upcoming international matches.
The schedule of future fixtures, available on our fixtures page, will determine the technician's room for maneuver. The objective will be to reverse the negative trend and improve the standings position, currently third with only three points earned. Resolving the contractual issue represents the necessary first step before any ambitious sporting project.
