How Pape Thiaw lost the den: behind the scenes of an inevitable breakup

According to our information, the point of no return occurred on May 27, 2026. Since that date, the national coach and the president of the Senegalese Football Federation, Abdoulaye Fall, have not spoken to each other. A silent break, but one heavy with consequences, at the top of the institution.

A break starting from CAN 2025

In reality, the first cracks appeared right after CAN 2025. Over the course of training camps, misunderstandings grew between Pape Thiaw, several members of his staff, and key members of the national team. Disagreements over group management, internal communication, and certain decisions by the coach gradually fostered a climate of mistrust.

The preparation for the World Cup in America crystallized the tensions. While FIFA had reserved the hotel for the Senegalese delegation, several players as well as staff members requested a change of establishment. Pape Thiaw firmly opposed this, refusing any reconsideration of the organization. This refusal heightened an already perceptible unease within the group.

Belgium to seal his fate

On the pitch, the results only amplified the crisis. Despite qualifying for the round of 16, the Lions never displayed the composure expected from an African contender. Tactical hesitations, contested choices, individual mistakes, and a team lacking cohesion fueled criticism. The elimination against Belgium finally broke down the last barriers.

Upon their return, the executive committee of the FSF took stock with a clear verdict: the sporting results, added to a breakdown of trust between the coach, his superiors, and part of the locker room, made any continuity impossible.

The unanimous vote demanding his departure therefore surprised only those unaware of the behind-the-scenes events. In reality, the fate of Pape Thiaw seemed already sealed well before the Lions' last match. The World Cup was merely the final act of a separation that had become inevitable.

MND