Tunisia head coach Herve Renard has resigned from his position just 18 days after being appointed during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The African nation was eliminated from Group F after a disastrous campaign that saw them lose all three group matches, culminating in a 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands.
Record-Breaking Own Goal and Heavy Defeats
The match against the Netherlands started with the second-fastest own goal in World Cup history, scored by midfielder Ellyes Skhiri. Tunisia ended the tournament with three consecutive losses, netting only two goals while conceding 12—the second-highest number of goals conceded by any team in World Cup history—resulting in a goal difference of -10.
Renard was hastily brought in after Tunisia sacked their former head coach, Sabri Lamouchi, following a humiliating 5-1 opening loss to Sweden. Lamouchi had only been hired in January. This is not the first time Tunisia has changed coaches mid-tournament; they previously dismissed Henryk Kasperczak after only two matches at the 1998 World Cup.
Renard's Statement and Career Background
The 57-year-old issued a statement confirming his departure: "Before leaving, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the FTF for allowing me to participate in the 2026 World Cup. It was an honour to wear Tunisia's colours and to live this unforgettable experience. I wish this Tunisian team the best for the future. I am convinced that it will continue to grow, to thrill an entire nation, and to write brilliant chapters in its history. Thank you to everyone who accompanied me throughout this journey. I wish you great success in the future. My journey is coming to an end."
Renard had been the frontrunner after Lamouchi's dismissal, having previously managed at the World Cup with Morocco and Saudi Arabia. He masterminded Saudi Arabia's stunning victory over eventual champions Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In 2023, he took charge of the French women's team, guiding them to the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Renard also won the Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia in 2012 and Ivory Coast in 2015.
Player Reaction to Mid-Tournament Upheaval
The tournament was bitterly disappointing for Tunisia. After a 4-0 loss to Japan in their second match, Norwich City midfielder Anis Ben Slimane criticised the upheaval: "It has not been easy. In the middle of the camp, there was a lot of trouble, and then a new manager came in during the tournament. You go from one hour having a whole staff of 15 people to another hour having a new manager with a new staff. I am not saying that is the reason, because it is not, but it has been a difficult time. Our job is to perform, but we have been through a lot of trouble."
