Herve Renard has stepped down as Tunisia head coach just 18 days after being appointed during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following a disastrous group stage campaign that saw the African nation finish bottom of Group F with three consecutive defeats.
World Cup Exit and Record-Breaking Defeats
Tunisia crashed out of the tournament after a heavy 3-1 loss to the Netherlands, with midfielder Ellyes Skhiri scoring the second-fastest own goal in World Cup history. Across their three group matches, Tunisia managed only two goals while conceding 12, the second-highest tally shipped by any team in World Cup history, resulting in a -10 goal difference.
Renard was dramatically brought in after Tunisia sacked their previous head coach, Sabri Lamouchi, following a shocking 5-1 opening defeat to Sweden. Lamouchi had only been appointed in January 2026. This is not the first time Tunisia has made a mid-tournament coaching change; they previously dismissed Henryk Kasperczak after just two matches at the 1998 World Cup.
Renard's Statement and Career Highlights
Renard, 57, released a statement confirming his decision: "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."
He added: "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 leading candidate after Lamouchi's sacking, having previously managed at World Cups with Morocco and Saudi Arabia. He guided Saudi Arabia to a famous victory over eventual champions Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In 2023, he took charge of the French women's team, leading them to the quarterfinals of the Women's World Cup. Renard also won the Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia in 2012 and with Ivory Coast in 2015.
Player Reaction to Turmoil
Norwich City midfielder Anis Ben Slimane criticized the upheaval mid-tournament: "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."
