Vieira’s stature can make an immediate impact with Senegal, says Giresse

Alain Giresse believes Patrick Vieira’s appointment as Senegal manager can bring a positive change to the national team, with the former France international’s status and coaching experience likely to command the respect of the players.

Vieira will take charge of the Lions of Teranga from September, beginning his first role as a national-team manager. The former Arsenal midfielder has previously coached clubs in France’s top division and in Major League Soccer, but his new position will present a different challenge.

“He will discover what it is like to work with a national team, because it is different from a club. And a national team from the African continent, in particular. That is also something different compared with Europe,” the French coach told RMC Sport.

Giresse, who has previously managed Senegal, believes Vieira’s playing career and achievements will give him significant influence inside the squad. Vieira was part of the France team that won the 1998 World Cup and also built a managerial career after retiring from football.

The appointment follows the events surrounding Senegal after the 2026 World Cup and the dismissal of Pape Thiaw. Giresse hopes Vieira’s arrival will allow the team to start a new period and leave recent difficulties behind.

“I think the fact that Patrick Vieira is a world champion, and also has a certain track record as a coach, can make the players say: ‘Be careful, we have someone in front of us who knows the very highest level.’ That immediately establishes the coach’s status in relation to the players,” said Giresse.

“A player’s experience is a representation; it matters. It matters especially on a continent where people are passionate about football. I think it was this reputation, along with his Senegalese origins, that led the officials to choose him.”

Vieira was born in Senegal and represented France at international level. His background, combined with his record as a player and coach, was viewed by Giresse as an important factor in the decision to appoint him.

Giresse also said Vieira could help the national team move beyond the disputes and problems that have surrounded it.

“Patrick Vieira’s arrival will make it possible to turn the page. It will help eliminate all the problems that may have existed around the national team. Patrick Vieira will wipe the slate clean without entering into the debate about who did what and who was responsible. That is no longer useful. Now he is putting things in place, and he will move towards the future.”

The former Senegal manager expects Vieira to focus on rebuilding the team rather than revisiting disagreements from the past. The new manager will take charge of the Lions of Teranga in September, when he begins his first assignment at international level.