News Focus
- Tunisia dismiss Sabri Lamouchi after a 5-1 thrashing by Sweden in their World Cup opener
- Hervé Renard takes charge on a short-term deal until the end of the tournament
- The French tactician arrives in Monterrey on Tuesday to join the squad
- Lamouchi exits with a poor record of just one victory from five matches
Tunisia have acted swiftly to replace their head coach following a disastrous start to the 2026 World Cup. The North African nation has sacked Sabri Lamouchi in the wake of a heavy 5-1 defeat against Sweden in Monterrey.
The Tunisian Football Federation has confirmed that fellow Frenchman Hervé Renard will assume control of the team. Renard will lead the side for the remainder of their World Cup journey, with the federation keeping the door open for a permanent arrangement once the tournament concludes.
Lamouchi became the first manager to lose his job during this World Cup. He had only taken the reins in January this year, signing a contract that was meant to run until 2028. However, a run of poor results proved fatal. Under his guidance, Tunisia secured just one win from five outings. They defeated Haiti 1-0 in March but suffered defeats against Austria and Belgium, including a 5-0 hammering by the Belgians in a warm-up fixture.
The federation issued a statement outlining the terms of Renard’s appointment. The agreement covers the current World Cup campaign, with discussions planned for a longer partnership should the team meet specific targets.
State broadcaster Television Tunisienne reports that Renard is expected to land in Monterrey later today. He will immediately link up with the players ahead of crucial upcoming clashes against Japan and the Netherlands.
Renard brings extensive experience to the role. The 56-year-old has lifted the Africa Cup of Nations trophy twice with different nations. He previously guided Saudi Arabia to a historic victory over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. More recently, he managed the French women’s team at the 2023 World Cup and the Paris Olympics. He briefly returned to Saudi Arabia to help the men’s team qualify for this tournament before departing prior to kick-off.