Herve Renard quits as Tunisia boss just 18 days after World Cup appointment

Herve Renard has stepped down as Tunisia manager, just 18 days after being parachuted into the role during the World Cup finals. The 57-year-old Frenchman’s brief and troubled spell in charge ended following a group-stage exit that saw his side beaten in every fixture.

Renard was drafted in after Sabri Lamouchi was sacked in the wake of a 5-1 hammering by Sweden in Tunisia’s opening World Cup group match. Tasked with a swift rescue job, he was unable to arrest the slide, with Tunisia going on to lose 4-0 to Japan and 3-1 to the Netherlands as their tournament unravelled.

A short-lived rescue mission

Renard’s appointment mid-tournament was always going to be an unenviable task, with little time to work with the squad or address the damage done by the opening defeat. In the end, his tenure lasted barely two and a half weeks before he confirmed his departure via a statement.

In his statement, Renard said: “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.”

He added: “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.”

A campaign to forget

Tunisia’s World Cup ended without a single point or goal scored across their three group matches, a dismal return that prompted the change in the dugout in the first place. The 5-1 defeat to Sweden had already raised serious questions over the team’s preparation, and results only worsened once Renard took the reins against Japan and the Netherlands.

Renard is a familiar face on the international scene, having previously managed several African and Middle Eastern nations, but this latest role proved to be one of the shortest and least successful of his career. His resignation now leaves the Tunisian Football Federation searching for fresh leadership as they look to rebuild after a chastening tournament.

No details have emerged yet on who might succeed Renard, with the federation likely to take stock before making its next appointment.

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