Tunisia sack head coach Lamouchi after heavy defeat in World Cup opener

Sabri Lamouchi looks on during the World Cup game against Sweden
Sabri Lamouchi looks on during the World Cup game against SwedenJulio Cesar AGUILAR / AFP / AFP / Profimedia

The Tunisian FA have fired head coach Sabri Lamouchi after the disappointing 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their World Cup opener.

According to several reports, including from The Guardian and New York Times reporter Romain Molina, Lamouchi was dismissed after the Tunisian FA, the FTF, called an emergency meeting shortly after the 5-1 defeat to Sweden.

The loss was the latest in a run of disappointing results, including a 5-0 defeat to Belgium in Tunisia's final pre-tournament friendly.

Reports about Lamouchi's potential successor throw up several names, including that of former Sunderland winger Wahbi Khazri and Mondher Kebaier, who led Tunisia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Tunisia's next game at the World Cup comes on Saturday, June 20th, against Japan.

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Short-lived reign

Lamouchi, 54, was appointed by the FTF after Sami Trabelsi's dismissal following the round-of-16 exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Lamouchi was in charge for just five games and started his reign with a 1-0 win over Haiti, but saw his team score just one goal afterwards as Canada held Tunisia to a 0-0 draw and Austria (1-0), Belgium, and Sweden all beat the Eagles of Carthage.