Hervé Renard has officially left his position as manager of the Tunisia national team, the French coach announced on Saturday via an Instagram post. The departure comes after a disappointing World Cup campaign where Tunisia finished bottom of Group D with three defeats.
Renard was appointed on a short-term basis in August 2022 following the dismissal of Sabri Lamouchi after a heavy 5-1 defeat to Sweden. Despite taking charge, he was unable to turn the team’s fortunes around, overseeing losses against Japan (0-4) and the Netherlands (1-3) in addition to the initial defeat to Sweden. The Tunisian squad also faced scrutiny with reports of players testing positive for doping.
In his statement, Renard expressed gratitude to the Tunisian Football Federation for the opportunity to participate in the World Cup, describing it as an “honour” to represent the nation. He acknowledged the experience as “unforgettable”.
Renard’s managerial career has been marked by significant success in African football, notably winning the Africa Cup of Nations with both Zambia in 2012 and Algeria in 2019. Prior to taking the Tunisia job, he managed Saudi Arabia, leading them to an unexpected victory over eventual champions Argentina at the 2022 World Cup. His short tenure with Tunisia, however, represents a rare low point in an otherwise impressive resume.
The Tunisian Football Federation is now expected to begin the search for a new manager to lead the national team through future qualifying campaigns and tournaments. Renard’s next move remains uncertain, though his experience and track record will likely attract interest from clubs and national associations across Africa and beyond.
