Tunisia Coach Sabri Lamouchi's Job in Jeopardy After Heavy Loss

Tunisia coach Sabri Lamouchi’s future is uncertain after the team lost 5-1 to Sweden in their first World Cup match. This defeat has led federation officials to discuss Lamouchi's position, a source told AFP on Monday.

Lamouchi has only been the head coach since January. He may be replaced by Mondher Kebaier, who was in charge of the national team from 2019 to 2022.

Kebaier is currently with the Tunisian World Cup team in Monterrey, Mexico. The source said, “Discussions are underway between members of the federation,” but they wished to remain anonymous.

The source also mentioned that a decision should be made “in one sense or the other” within “the next few hours.” Several Tunisian media outlets suggested that Lamouchi will be sacked.

After the loss on Sunday, Tunisia faces a tough road to advance to the second round of the World Cup for the seventh time. Their next matches are against Japan in Monterrey next Saturday and against the Netherlands in Kansas City on June 25.

Japan drew 2-2 with the Netherlands in their first game on Sunday. Lamouchi, 54, has World Cup experience from his time coaching Ivory Coast in 2014. He resigned after the team did not make it past the group stage.

Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano, a well-known football transfer analyst, confirmed Lamouchi's sacking on his X handle on Monday. He wrote, “OFFICIAL: Tunisia head coach Sabri Lamouchi has been sacked after defeat on World Cup opening game against Sweden. Plans are under way to appoint Mondher Kebaier as the new national team coach on an interim basis, Federation confirm.”