Tunisia has appointed veteran coach Hervé Renard as its new manager following the dismissal of Sabri Lamouchi in the wake of the team’s heavy 5-1 loss to Sweden in its opening match of the FIFA World Cup.
Lamouchi, who took charge in January, lasted just five matches at the helm. His brief tenure produced only one victory—a 1-0 friendly win over Haiti—and Tunisia scored only two goals during that stretch.
Renard, 57, faces an immediate challenge as he prepares the Eagles of Carthage for their crucial Group F encounter against Japan on Sunday in Guadalupe, Mexico. Japan opened its campaign with an entertaining 2-2 draw against the Netherlands, leaving Tunisia in urgent need of points to keep its knockout-stage hopes alive.
The French coach brings extensive World Cup experience. He famously guided Saudi Arabia to one of the tournament’s greatest upsets in 2022, defeating eventual champions Argentina 2-1 in the group stage. However, subsequent losses to Poland and Mexico denied the Saudis a place in the Round of 16.
Renard also led Morocco at the 2018 World Cup, although the Atlas Lions were unable to progress beyond the group stage.
His greatest achievements have come on the African continent. Renard guided Zambia to its first and only Africa Cup of Nations title in 2012 before leading Ivory Coast to continental glory in 2015, securing the nation’s second AFCON crown.
More recently, Renard managed France’s women’s national team, leading Les Bleues to the quarterfinals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where they were eliminated by Australia in a penalty shootout. He later returned for a second spell with Saudi Arabia, helping the team qualify for the 2026 World Cup before departing in April.
Tunisia is seeking to advance beyond the group stage for the first time in its seventh World Cup appearance. The expanded 48-team format at the 2026 tournament offers additional opportunities, with the top eight third-place finishers joining the group winners and runners-up in the 32-team knockout stage beginning June 28.
With time running short and qualification hopes hanging in the balance, Tunisia will look to Renard’s proven tournament pedigree to spark an immediate turnaround.
