The Senegalese Football Federation is actively working to find a successor for Pape Thiaw, who was officially dismissed on July 11 after the Lions of Teranga were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup. While several names are circulating behind the scenes, a well-known figure in African football has officially thrown his hat in the ring. Patrice Beaumelle, a 48-year-old French coach, has expressed his interest in the position of Senegal’s head coach. His profile, experience, and knowledge of the continent make him a credible candidate at a time when the FSF is looking to rebuild a team that has lost its confidence.
According to journalist Patrick Juillard, Patrice Beaumelle has made it clear that he is available to take charge of the Lions. Free since leaving Espérance de Tunis in mid-May, the French coach is seeking a new sporting challenge. He believes Senegal has a squad capable of quickly returning to the top of African football and feels he has the necessary qualities to support this rebuilding process. This statement comes as Senegalese officials are consulting widely to identify the ideal profile to move on from Pape Thiaw.
Patrice Beaumelle has a particularly rich background in African football. His career took a significant turn when he became an assistant to Hervé Renard with several national teams. Together, they made history with Zambia by winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012 against all odds. Three years later, they repeated the feat with Ivory Coast, helping the Elephants end a long wait by clinching the AFCON title in 2015. These successes built Beaumelle’s reputation as a coach capable of handling the demands of African football.
After this long collaboration with Hervé Renard, Patrice Beaumelle wanted to spread his wings. He took charge of the Ivorian national team before becoming the head coach of Angola. He also had club experiences, notably with Espérance de Tunis. Even though his time in Tunisia ended prematurely, the experience remains valuable. Over the years, he has built a solid reputation thanks to his knowledge of African players, the pressure from fans, and continental competitions, elements that could attract the Senegalese Federation.
The French coach doesn’t limit his ambitions to Senegal. In recent weeks, Patrice Beaumelle has also been mentioned as a candidate for FUS Rabat. This potential return to Morocco shows his desire to quickly find a coaching position. However, the opportunity to lead the Lions of Teranga would undoubtedly represent one of the biggest challenges of his career. Senegal is one of the most prestigious teams on the continent, boasting a squad filled with players competing in top European leagues.
Despite this candidacy, Patrice Beaumelle will face stiff competition. For several days, Hervé Renard’s name has been frequently mentioned in discussions about the head coach position. The former African champion is now free after leaving Tunisia, where he failed to qualify the Carthage Eagles for the next stage of the 2026 World Cup. Residing in Senegal for several months, Renard appears as a credible option and naturally attracts the attention of many observers.
The coach of Mouloudia d’Alger, Patrice Beaumelle, has officially converted to Islam 🟢🔴🩸.
الله أكبر ❤️#Algerie #LIGUE1MOBILIS #COUPEDALGÉRIE 🇩🇿 pic.twitter.com/zUWgeyQqGK— FARID BOUSSALEM (@faridmca1921) April 15, 2024
For the Senegalese Football Federation, choosing the next head coach will be crucial. After a World Cup campaign marked by criticism, organizational issues, and disappointing results, the Lions need to quickly regain a positive momentum. The coming months will be essential with the AFCON and World Cup qualifiers on the horizon. Between Patrice Beaumelle’s African experience and Hervé Renard’s prestige, the FSF has several serious options. Now, it remains to be seen which profile will be chosen to lead Senegal into a new cycle and restore the Lions’ status as a reference on the continent.
