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Tunisia have appointed Frenchman Herve Renard as their new manager – after Sabri Lamouchi became the first boss to be sacked just one game into a World Cup earlier this week.
Renard, 57, will take charge of the nation until the end of the tournament, the country’s football federation confirmed.
He joins with a wealth of experience, having managed Morocco at the World Cup in 2018, masterminded Saudi Arabia’s scalp of Argentina in 2022 and taken charge of France Women at the 2023 World Cup.
But Renard – who also enjoyed six games in charge of Cambridge United back in 2004 – will take over a Tunisian side in crisis, after the African nation were thumped 5-1 by Sweden in their opening match on Monday.
The dismal result proved to be the final straw for Lamouchi, who was brutally axed just hours afterwards amid reports of infighting in the Tunisian camp.
The ex-Cardiff City and Nottingham Forest boss had taken charge of just five games following his appointment in January.
Tunisia have appointed ex-Morocco and Saudi Arabia manager Herve Renard as their new boss
The Frenchman replaces Sabri Lamouchi, who was sacked just one game into the tournament earlier this week
Reports suggested that a fight broke out at the Tunisia team hotel following the defeat, with a witness telling a local radio station that Lamouchi’s son and a supporter had been at the centre of the scuffle.
Lamouchi however played down such reports, telling journalists in his final press conference: ‘As a father I’ll answer you first, and it’s also the coach who’ll answer you.
‘I’m sure there are family connections here, but my son plays no part in the selection process. When I say there were five players there, he’s there, he’s working on his thesis, he has no official role, he’s no longer on the pitch. And right now, as we speak, he’s not here; he’s feeling awkward.’
Renard will get to work immediately in the United States ahead of Tunisia’s crucial second group stage match against Japan on Sunday.
The north Africans currently sit rock bottom of Group F, which also features the Netherlands, Japan and Sweden, with two games remaining.
The Tunisian Football Federation said negotiations over a ‘long-term collaboration’ with Renard will take place following the tournament.
The Frenchman has been out of work since he was sacked by Saudi Arabia in April just a couple of months before the start of the tournament.
It brought to an end his second stint in charge of the Middle Eastern nation, after he led them to a 2-1 victory over Lionel Messi and Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The triumph, however, proved to be the Saudis’ only victory, as they crashed out in the group stage following losses to Mexico and Poland.
Renard also helped Morocco to the 2018 showpiece in Russia, which marked the nation’s first World Cup finals since 1998.
In 2023, he moved across to the women’s game and helped France to the quarter-finals.
Renard’s long international career also saw him manage Zambia and Ivory Coast, winning the Africa Cup of Nations with each side in 2012 and 2015 respectively.
Long before that, he enjoyed a short stint in charge of Cambridge United 22 years ago.
Which England star has 7 GCSEs? Who has lost half of his finger? Test your knowledge of Thomas Tuchel’s squad with our exclusive quiz HERE.
