The Tunisian Football Federation appointed Herve Renard as head coach on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, following the dismissal of Sabri Lamouchi just one game into the World Cup.
The decision came after Tunisia suffered a 5-1 defeat against Sweden on Sunday in their Group F opener, prompting the federation to terminate Lamouchi's contract after only five months and five games in charge.
According to the Tunisian Football Federation, the 57-year-old Renard has been contracted until the end of the 2026 World Cup, with provisions for post-tournament negotiations regarding a long-term collaboration.
Lamouchi, who took over in January after Sami Trabelsi left following an Africa Cup of Nations exit, managed only one victory during his brief tenure, which was a 1-0 friendly win over Haiti in March.
"We made way too many mistakes," said Sabri Lamouchi, former Tunisia head coach.
The 54-year-old manager expressed his disappointment following the heavy opening defeat before his contract was terminated by the federation.
"We have our pride. We need to react.
We need to give a better image," said Lamouchi.
Renard enters the role with extensive international experience, having previously won the Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia in 2012 and Ivory Coast in 2015, and managing Morocco at the 2018 World Cup.
He also led Saudi Arabia to a notable 2-1 group stage victory over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, before a stint with the France women's national team that concluded after the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The managerial change marks the second time Tunisia has dismissed a coach during a World Cup group stage, following the firing of Henryk Kasperczak during the 1998 tournament after two losses.
Historical precedents of mid-tournament exits reported by ESPN include Spain dismissing Julen Lopetegui in 2018, France's players mutinying against Raymond Domenech in 2010, and Saudi Arabia replacing Carlos Alberto Parreira in 1998.
Additionally, South Korea parted ways with Cha Bum-Kun in 1998, Scotland's Andy Beattie resigned during the 1954 tournament, and Jean-Louis Gasset stepped down from Ivory Coast during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Tunisia, which has qualified for the World Cup six times but has never advanced past the group stage, has four days to prepare under Renard before facing Japan on Saturday, June 20, in Monterrey, Mexico, followed by a final group stage match against the Netherlands on June 25 in Kansas City.
