Tunisia hire Herve Renard after Lamouchi sacked

Tunisia appoint – Tunisia have appointed Herve Renard as their new manager until the end of the tournament after Sabri Lamouchi was sacked just one game into the World Cup following a 5-1 defeat by Sweden. Renard, 57, will begin work immediately in the United States ahead of Tu

Tunisia moved fast after the damage was done. One night after a 5-1 humiliation by Sweden on Monday. the country’s World Cup campaign took another sharp turn—Sabri Lamouchi became the first boss to be sacked at the tournament. and the Tunisian Football Federation moved to replace him with Frenchman Herve Renard.

Renard, 57, has been appointed as manager until the end of the tournament, with the federation confirming the decision. He will arrive in the United States immediately to begin preparations for Tunisia’s crucial second group-stage match against Japan on Sunday.

The context is brutal. Tunisia sit rock bottom of Group F. which also includes the Netherlands. Japan and Sweden. with two games remaining after their opening loss on Monday. Lamouchi had taken charge for just five games after being appointed in January. and the 5-1 defeat proved to be the final straw.

Hours after the setback, Lamouchi was dismissed amid reports of infighting in the Tunisian camp. Those accounts included claims that a fight broke out at the Tunisia team hotel after the defeat. with a witness telling a local radio station that Lamouchi’s son and a supporter were at the centre of the scuffle.

Lamouchi played down the reports in his final press conference. He told journalists. “As a father I’ll answer you first. and it’s also the coach who’ll answer you.” He added: “I’m sure there are family connections here. but my son plays no part in the selection process. When I say there were five players there. he’s there. he’s working on his thesis. he has no official role. he’s no longer on the pitch. And right right now, as we speak, he’s not here; he’s feeling awkward.”.

Those comments sit in stark contrast to the speed of the dismissal that followed. Renard’s appointment also marks a quick reset from a man who had been leading Tunisia on the edge of elimination.

Renard arrives with a record that has repeatedly carried him onto major stages. He previously managed Morocco at the World Cup in 2018, and he masterminded Saudi Arabia’s scalp of Argentina in 2022. He also took charge of France Women at the 2023 World Cup.

His experience extends beyond the men’s game and beyond the highest-profile tournaments. He enjoyed six games in charge of Cambridge United back in 2004. and his international coaching career also saw him manage Zambia and Ivory Coast. winning the Africa Cup of Nations with each side in 2012 and 2015 respectively.

Tunisia’s federation said negotiations over a “long-term collaboration” with Renard will take place following the tournament, suggesting the decision is both immediate and conditional on what comes next.

Renard has been out of work since he was sacked by Saudi Arabia in April. just a couple of months before the start of the tournament. That earlier departure brought an end to his second stint with the Middle Eastern nation after he led them to a 2-1 victory over Lionel Messi and Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

That victory, however, was Saudi Arabia’s only win at the tournament. They crashed out in the group stage following losses to Mexico and Poland.

For Tunisia, the next step is clear even if the pressure is not. Renard will take charge in the United States and immediately turn his attention to Japan — with Tunisia’s place in Group F hanging on two matches and a fragile margin for error after Sweden’s rout on Monday.

Tunisia Herve Renard Sabri Lamouchi World Cup Sweden Japan Group F Netherlands football federation