Senegal midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye pays emotional tribute to Pape Thiaw after exit

Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye has paid an emotional tribute to Pape Thiaw following his departure as head coach of the Teranga Lions.

Thiaw was shown the exit door in the aftermath of Senegal’s early exit from the 2026 World Cup tournament, where the team bowed out in the round 32.

However, Gueye became one of the first senior players to publicly acknowledge Thiaw, reflecting the respect and admiration he has for him.

“Thank you, Pape Thiaw, from the bottom of my heart.” He wrote.

One of Senegal’s most experienced internationals, Gueye has been a key figure for the Teranga Lions for more than a decade, playing an instrumental role in some of the country’s greatest achievements, including their historic 2021 Africa Cup of Nations triumph. His message therefore carries significant weight as the national team prepares for a new chapter.

Thiaw’s reported departure comes after expectations were high for Senegal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Boasting a squad filled with experienced internationals and emerging stars, the Teranga Lions were tipped to make a deep run in the competition but ultimately fell short of those ambitions.

Despite the disappointing World Cup campaign, Thiaw leaves with the respect of many players, who have praised his professionalism, commitment and dedication to Senegalese football.

Attention will now shift to the Senegalese Football Federation as it begins the search for a new head coach to lead the national team into the next phase of its development, with preparations for future international competitions already on the horizon.

For Gueye, however, the focus was on expressing gratitude to a coach who shared an important chapter in his international career, offering a simple but heartfelt farewell that underscored the bond between the two men.