Hervé Renard takes charge of Tunisia after Lamouchi exit

Tunisia have appointed Hervé Renard as head coach following their 5-1 defeat by Sweden, making them the first nation to sack a coach after their opening World Cup match. The Carthage Eagles parted ways with Sabri Lamouchi on Monday, leaving Renard with little room for error in Group F. The 57-year-old Frenchman will take charge for the match against Japan on Sunday at 04:00 GMT. Tunisia remain in contention under the expanded 48-team format, though progress is far from guaranteed.

Renard becomes the third manager to lead three different national teams at consecutive World Cups, having previously coached Morocco in 2018 and Saudi Arabia in 2022. His appointment follows a 5-1 loss to Sweden, a result that triggered Tunisia’s swift decision to dismiss Lamouchi. The North Africans still have a theoretical path to the knockout stages, but Renard faces an immediate test against a Japan side expected to push for victory.

The Frenchman’s career includes six national-team spells, including stints with Zambia, Ivory Coast, Angola, and Saudi Arabia. He is the only manager to win the Africa Cup of Nations with two different teams, leading Zambia to victory in 2012 and Ivory Coast in 2015. Renard’s coaching journey began at SC Draguignan in France, where he combined playing duties with cleaning work to support himself financially.

Renard described his move to Tunisia as a “motivating challenge” after the Tunisian Football Federation contacted him. “When the federation contacted me, I didn't hesitate for a second,” he said. “It's a challenge that isn't easy, but it's a motivating challenge.” His appointment follows a turbulent period that included a brief spell as France women’s national team coach, where he reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Olympics.

Zambian journalist Nkweto Tembwe recalled Renard’s reputation as a “workaholic” and “master tactician” during his time with the Chipolopolo. “Herve is a very, very focused person and knows what he wants,” Tembwe said. “This is a gentleman that is not scared to get in the deep end and do the work. He does a lot of reading to make sure he keeps up with the trends that are going on.”

Renard’s coaching CV spans clubs in France, England, Vietnam, and Algeria, as well as six national teams. His first major international success came with Zambia in 2012, a triumph that remains one of African football’s most celebrated underdog stories. Despite his achievements, Renard has faced criticism over wage demands, with Nigerian officials describing his financial expectations as “practically outrageous” during failed negotiations in 2024.

Tunisia become the fifth African national side Renard has led, following earlier stints with Angola in 2010 and a brief assistant role with Ghana in 2008. His appointment comes amid high expectations, though the immediate task of securing a World Cup knockout spot presents a steep challenge. The match against Japan marks his first competitive outing in charge of the Carthage Eagles.

Renard’s career has been defined by resilience, from his early days juggling cleaning work with coaching badges to his later success on the global stage. His ability to rebuild teams under pressure will be tested once again in Tunisia, where fans are hoping for a repeat of his Afcon-winning magic.