Senegal have appointed Souleymane Diallo as interim head coach of the national team for the opening two matches of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, as the country’s football authorities continue their search for a permanent manager.
The appointment places Diallo in charge of the Lions for the September qualifying fixtures, with the role intended as a temporary solution during the ongoing transition following the departure of Pape Thiaw.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has yet to announce a long-term successor, opting instead to entrust Diallo with leading the team through the first stage of the continental qualifying campaign.
tHE appointment is limited to the opening two rounds of qualification, with no further information provided on whether Diallo’s responsibilities could be extended beyond those matches.
His selection comes as the federation continues evaluating candidates for the permanent coaching position.
Diallo, who serves as the federation’s national technical director, is expected to oversee preparations for Senegal’s return to competitive action while discussions over the next full-time coach continue.
The move is designed to ensure continuity ahead of a crucial period for one of Africa’s leading football nations.
Senegal will enter the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with high expectations after establishing themselves as one of the continent’s strongest national teams in recent years.
The opening fixtures in September are expected to provide the first test under Diallo’s temporary leadership.
Although the federation has confirmed the interim arrangement, no additional details have been released regarding the wider restructuring of the technical staff or the timetable for appointing a permanent head coach.
The uncertainty means Diallo’s immediate focus will be on preparing the squad for the opening qualifiers while maintaining stability during the transition.
Reports indicate that the decision to appoint Diallo was widely anticipated as the federation worked towards a longer-term solution.
His existing role within Senegal’s football structure is expected to help provide continuity during the interim period.
The coaching appointment became one of the major sports stories in Senegal on Wednesday, attracting significant national attention alongside developments in government administration, weather forecasts for parts of the country and new financial support approved by the African Development Bank.
Within Senegalese football, however, the federation’s coaching decision dominated headlines as supporters looked for clarity over the direction of the national team.
The temporary appointment reflects the federation’s intention to avoid rushing the selection of a permanent successor while ensuring the Lions remain focused on securing a positive start to their AFCON qualifying campaign.
For Senegal, the upcoming qualifiers represent another important step in maintaining the country’s status among Africa’s elite football nations.
The Lions have consistently entered continental competitions with ambitions of challenging for honours, making the choice of head coach a significant decision for the federation.
Diallo’s immediate responsibility will therefore be to guide the team through the opening qualifiers while the search for a permanent manager continues in the background.
