World Cup: Tunisia appoint Herve Renard as new manager after sacking Sabri Lamouchi

Tunisia have sacked coach Sabri Lamouchi following a woeful start to their World Cup campaign and have reached an agreement to replace him with fellow Frenchman Herve Renard, Tunis Afrique Presse reported on Tuesday. Tunisia became the first team to change coaches at the tournament after suffering a heavy opening defeat.

In Short

• Tunisia sack coach Sabri Lamouchi after 5-1 loss to Sweden
• Herve Renard was reportedly appointed as the new coach of Tunisia
• Tunisia must beat Japan to keep knockout hopes alive

Tunisia have sacked coach Sabri Lamouchi after their disastrous start to the World Cup and agreed to a deal to appoint fellow Frenchman Herve Renard as his replacement, Tunis Afrique Presse reported on Tuesday.

The move follows Tunisia's 5-1 defeat by Sweden in their opening Group F match in Monterrey on Sunday, a result that left the North Africans under immediate pressure in the tournament.

Lamouchi becomes the first coaching casualty of the World Cup. The 54-year-old was appointed in January on a contract running until 2028 but lasted barely six months in the role.

Tunisia officially confirmed his departure late on Monday, with matches against Japan on Saturday and the Netherlands on June 25 still to come in the group stage.

Renard is set to take charge of the remainder of Tunisia's campaign. Sources told ESPN that the 57-year-old will arrive in Mexico, where the team is based, on Tuesday afternoon and oversee his first training session later in the evening in Monterrey.

The appointment marks Renard's third World Cup with a third different nation. He guided Morocco at the 2018 tournament in Russia before taking charge of Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Renard's Saudi side produced one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history when they defeated eventual champions Argentina in their opening group match, although they failed to advance to the knockout rounds after losing their next two games.

A two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner, Renard led Zambia to the continental title in 2012 before repeating the feat with Ivory Coast three years later.

According to ESPN, Tunisia's decision was influenced not only by the heavy defeat against Sweden but also by unrest within the dressing room and tensions between Lamouchi, some players and officials within the Tunisian Football Federation.

The coaching change is believed to be the earliest managerial dismissal in World Cup history, with Lamouchi leaving after just one match at the tournament.

Former Tunisia international midfielder Wahbi Khazri, who served as Lamouchi's assistant, will remain on the coaching staff under Renard.

Tunisia are bottom of Group F following the defeat to Sweden and face a must-win encounter against Japan as they attempt to revive their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.

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