Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Tunisia sack Sabri Lamouchi after their 5-1 FIFA World Cup defeat to Sweden, with Hervé Renard appointed until the end of the tournament.
Lamouchi had only taken charge in January and lasted five matches, becoming the first coach to be dismissed after one game at a World Cup finals.
The decision follows another major Group F storyline, Norway World Cup Chant: Rowing Celebration Set to Bring Viking Energy to 2026 Tournament, as the tournament continues to deliver early drama. Fans can follow official tournament updates through the FIFA website.
Renard Takes Over Tunisia
The Federation Tunisienne de Football confirmed the “termination of its contractual relationship” with Lamouchi by mutual agreement.
Renard brings World Cup know-how, having led Saudi Arabia to a 2-1 win over eventual champions Argentina in Qatar and managed Morocco at the 2018 tournament.
The Tunisia statement added: “The agreement [to appoint Renard] also states to open negotiations after the end of participation in the World Cup, for long-term cooperation based on specific sporting goals.”
Renard has also managed Ivory Coast, Zambia and Angola at international level.
Group F Pressure Builds
Tunisia sit bottom of Group F after the heavy loss to Sweden.
Renard’s first task will be preparing Tunisia for their next match against Japan in Monterrey, before a final group fixture against the Netherlands.
Lamouchi admitted after the Sweden defeat that Tunisia had badly hurt their own chances.
“Starting the competition with this bad of a loss is indeed difficult,” he said. “We made too many mistakes, and this is not something that we can do. We are shooting ourselves in the foot, we are hurting ourselves.”
Tunisia have made a mid-tournament coaching change at the World Cup before, with Henryk Kasperczak sacked after two defeats at France 1998.