Tunisia Reportedly Sacks Coach Sabri Lamouchi After Single World Cup Match

Tunisia appears to have sacked head coach Sabri Lamouchi following their disastrous 5-1 World Cup opening match against Sweden. The North African nation's football association reportedly made the decision in response to the heavy defeat, which has left their tournament hopes in tatters.

Veteran coach Mondher Kbaier, who previously managed the Tunisian national team from 2019 to 2022, is expected to step in as interim coach. Kbaier, 56, was already part of the Tunisian delegation at the World Cup as technical director and previously coached Moroccan club Raja Casablanca and Tunisian side Club Africain.

Lamouchi, a 54-year-old Frenchman, was appointed just five months ago and secured only one victory in his five games in charge, a 1-0 win against Haiti. The former Inter Milan and Marseille player described the loss to Sweden as a "painful defeat" that "hurts," likely unaware at the time that it would be his last press conference as Tunisia's coach.

The team's performance against Sweden, with goals from Yasin Ayari (twice), Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres, and Mattias Svanberg, was a stark contrast to their surprise victory over eventual finalists France in the 2022 World Cup. Omar Rekik scored Tunisia's lone goal. Tunisian media had already expressed concerns about team cohesion and Lamouchi's ability to manage a squad blending experienced and new players prior to the tournament.

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This is a painful defeat. It hurts. To start the competition with such a bitter defeat is difficult