Tunisia have reportedly appointed French coach Herve Renard as their new head coach following the dismissal of Sabri Lamouchi after the team’s humiliating 5-1 defeat to Sweden at the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
The North Africans acted swiftly after Sunday’s Group F thrashing at the Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, Mexico, a result that reportedly sparked turmoil within the camp and prompted an immediate review of the coaching situation.
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Lamouchi pays price for Sweden defeat
The Tunisian Football Federation confirmed that an agreement had been reached to part ways with Lamouchi following the heavy loss.
A statement posted on the federation’s Instagram account read: “An agreement has been officially reached to dismiss coach Sabri Lamouchi.”
Lamouchi had only taken charge of the Carthage Eagles earlier this year, but was unable to survive the fallout from Tunisia’s worst-ever World Cup defeat.
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Renard handed rescue mission
Tunisia have now turned to the vastly experienced Renard in a bid to revive their World Cup campaign.
The federation confirmed that the 57-year-old will take charge until the end of the tournament, with discussions over a longer-term contract set to take place after the World Cup.
A federation statement said: “The agreement also states to open negotiations after the end of participation in the World Cup for long-term cooperation based on specific sporting goals.”
Proven winner in African football
Renard arrives with an impressive international coaching résumé, having managed Zambia, Ivory Coast, Angola, Morocco and Saudi Arabia.
He is one of the most successful coaches in African football history, famously guiding Zambia to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations title before winning the continental crown again with Ivory Coast in 2015.
The Frenchman was most recently in charge of Saudi Arabia and masterminded one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history when the Green Falcons defeated Argentina 2-1 in their opening match at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Tough task ahead
Renard’s immediate challenge will be to keep Tunisia’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive.
The Carthage Eagles face Japan in their second Group F match on Saturday before concluding the group stage against the Netherlands.
With Tunisia reeling from their heavy opening defeat, the federation will be hoping Renard can quickly recreate the magic that has defined much of his international coaching career.
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