A national team coach has been sacked just days after the start of the FIFA World Cup.
The tournament began on June 11, but one football association has already decided to part ways with its coach after the team’s opening match.
On Monday, June 15, Sweden defeated Tunisia 5-1. Sweden’s goals came from Yasin Ayari, who scored twice, Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres, and Mattias Svanberg. Omar Rekik scored Tunisia’s only goal.
Even though Tunisia still have two Group F matches left against Japan and the Netherlands, the team has decided to dismiss head coach Sabri Lamouchi.
Journalist Romain Molina announced the news on X, writing: “It’s the end for Sabri Lamouchi at the helm of the Tunisian national team.”
Another journalist, Ben Jacobs, later said the news would soon be officially confirmed and added: “Mondher Kebaier is expected to take over.”
Kebaier previously coached Tunisia from 2019 to 2022.
Lamouchi, who has also managed English clubs Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City, only coached Tunisia in five matches after taking charge in January.
After the defeat to Sweden, reports from Tunisian radio station Mosaique FM claimed there had been an argument involving Lamouchi’s son and a supporter.
When asked about the issue, the 54-year-old said: “As a father, I’ll answer you first, and it’s also the coach who’ll answer you.
“I’m sure there are family connections here, but my son plays no part in the selection process.
“When I say there were five players there, he’s there, he’s working on his thesis, he has no official role, and he’s no longer on the pitch. And right now, as we speak, he’s not here; he’s feeling awkward.
“Do you know where he is? He’s with his grandmother, my mother and my sister, because yesterday was Eid, so my mother came to visit. Are you going to criticise me for having my mother stay at the hotel as well?
“Let’s be serious and make sure we ask the right questions and do our best to look after our interests, because what’s in your interests: is it to argue about something that’s not worth arguing about, or is it to focus on how Austria will play, how Belgium will play and how we’ll prepare for Sweden?
“Like all of you, I really want us to reach the second round.
“You think I will answer questions about what is said on social media?”
Tunisia will play their next match against Japan on June 21.
The country has qualified for the FIFA World Cup seven times in 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022, and 2026, but has never gone beyond the group stage.
Share this:
