Patrick Vieira wary of repeat Senegal contract row as FSF talks continue

Patrick Vieira is seeking to complete the final details of his contract with the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) before formally taking charge of the national team, according to reports.

The former France midfielder was officially appointed head coach of Senegal on 18 August, but his agreement with the federation remains provisional. Bakary Cisse, a member of the FSF executive committee, described it as “un accord de principe”.

That means negotiations are continuing behind the scenes, with the remaining contractual points yet to be settled. According to La Voix+, the 50-year-old does not want to appear before the media or be presented to the public until the agreement has been properly concluded and signed.

Vieira’s caution is understood to be linked to the difficulties experienced by his predecessor, Pape Thiaw. The former Senegal manager continued working without a valid contract or salary from March, after his initial agreement expired at the end of February.

The unresolved situation caused a crisis within the Senegal team before their training camp ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States. Thiaw initially refused to travel until his position had been regularised, before changing his mind after being calmed by the country’s head of state.

The dispute resurfaced during the World Cup. Thiaw threatened not to attend the decisive match against Norway, but his contract was renewed only five hours before kick-off. Senegal subsequently lost the game 3-2 on 23 June.

Thiaw was removed from his position on 11 July. Two days later, on 13 August, he sent the FSF a formal demand for payment of €647,000 in unpaid sums.

Senegalese outlet SeneNews has since reported that the Dakar-born coach is preparing another claim estimated at almost €600,000. If that demand is submitted and upheld, the federation’s overall bill could rise above €1m.

Vieira’s insistence on settling the details before beginning his public duties therefore reflects the uncertainty that surrounded the end of Thiaw’s tenure. While the federation has already announced the appointment of the 1998 world champion, the final contractual arrangements remain the immediate priority.

Vieira, who won the World Cup with France in 1998, is now waiting for those negotiations to be completed before making his first official appearance as Senegal manager.