OM veteran Habib Beye eyes revived chance as Senegal coach saga stalls
In a quiet office at the Senegalese Football Federation, officials stare at a blank contract while the clock ticks past the deadline. Patrick Vieira, announced on 18 August as the incoming coach of the Lions of Teranga, still has not signed ten days later, leaving a narrow window open for former Olympique de Marseille defender Habib Beye.
Patrick Vieira’s appointment was presented as a fait accompli on 18 August, yet the agreement remained incomplete as negotiations were still ongoing. Ten days after the announcement, the former French international had not put pen to paper, pushing back the start of his tenure.
Old candidate re-emerges
Before Vieira entered the picture, the federation had mentioned Habib Beye as a possible successor to the national team helm. Beye, who previously coached Red Star and Stade Rennais, brings recent experience from top‑level European football.
The former defender’s résumé includes a deep understanding of African football and a stint as a senior coach at OM, reinforcing his appeal to Senegalese officials seeking a familiar face with continental insight.
Despite the renewed chatter, there is no concrete evidence that the federation has reopened formal talks with Beye at this stage.
Calendar pressures heighten uncertainty
Le Fédération sénégalaise must organise the next squad gathering scheduled between 21 September and 6 October, a tight window that demands a fully appointed coach.
Vieira still needs to assemble his staff, select players and prepare for the first matches, tasks that are increasingly urgent as international dates approach.
The lingering delay could inadvertently boost Beye’s prospects, yet Vieira remains the federation’s declared priority and no official move toward Beye has been confirmed.
With the calendar looming, the federation’s primary concern is ensuring the new coach can work under optimal conditions, keeping the suspense alive and leaving room for older candidates to regain credibility.
In this indecisive saga, the balance of power may shift quickly; for the former OM captain, a small window of opportunity still exists, even if the odds remain stacked against a swift return.