Tunisia appoint Hervé Renard as new coach after sacking Lamouchi

Tunisia have appointed veteran French coach Hervé Renard as the new head coach of the national team following the dismissal of Sabri Lamouchi in the aftermath of the country's crushing defeat at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Tunisian Football Federation acted swiftly after the Carthage Eagles suffered a humiliating 5-1 loss to Sweden in their opening Group F match, a result that triggered widespread criticism from supporters and intensified pressure on the coaching staff.

The decision reflects Tunisia's determination to salvage its World Cup campaign and reignite hopes of reaching the knockout stages despite a difficult start to the tournament.

Lamouchi's dismissal comes after a challenging five-month spell in charge of the national team.

The former coach, who was appointed in January 2026, struggled to deliver consistent results, overseeing a run that produced just one victory, one draw, and three defeats.

Pressure on the coach had already been mounting before the World Cup following underwhelming performances in friendly matches against Austria and Belgium.

The heavy defeat to Sweden ultimately proved to be the tipping point, with federation officials concluding that a change in leadership was necessary to revive the team's fortunes.

Ironically, only hours before his dismissal, Lamouchi had publicly expressed confidence in his ability to turn results around despite acknowledging concerns surrounding the team's preparation and performance.

Tunisia have now turned to one of the most respected and accomplished coaches in African football history.

Renard has built a reputation as a specialist in international football, having managed several national teams across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

The 56-year-old French tactician is best known for leading Zambia to a historic Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 2012 before repeating the feat with Côte d’Ivoire in 2015.

His success on the continental stage has earned him recognition as one of the most successful foreign coaches to work in African football.

The Tunisian Football Federation believes his experience in handling high-pressure tournaments could prove crucial as the national team seeks to recover from its disappointing start.

Reports indicate that Renard is expected to travel immediately to Mexico, where Tunisia's World Cup squad is based, to begin preparations for the team's remaining group-stage fixtures.

He is also expected to be joined by members of his trusted technical team as he begins the task of restructuring and motivating the squad.

Former Tunisia captain Wahbi Khazri is reportedly expected to remain involved with the technical setup, providing continuity during the transition.

Renard's first challenge will be restoring confidence within a squad that was shaken by the defeat to Sweden and is now under pressure to deliver results.

Tunisia's hopes of advancing from Group F now depend heavily on their performances in upcoming matches against Japan and Netherlands.

With zero points from their opening match, the Carthage Eagles face a difficult road to qualification and can ill afford another setback.

Renard will be tasked with improving defensive organization, boosting morale, and finding a tactical formula capable of competing against two highly-rated opponents.

Football analysts believe his tournament experience and motivational skills could provide the immediate impact Tunisia needs to remain competitive.

The appointment signals Tunisia's determination to fight for qualification despite the setback against Sweden.

Renard's track record of transforming struggling teams and succeeding in challenging environments has raised hopes among supporters that he can engineer a turnaround.

While the task ahead remains difficult, Tunisia will be counting on their new coach to inject fresh energy, tactical discipline, and belief into a squad still aiming to make a mark on the world stage.

With two decisive group matches remaining, all eyes will now be on Renard as he begins one of the most important assignments of his coaching career.