Tunisia have moved swiftly and dramatically at the World Cup, appointing Herve Renard to lead the team for the remainder of the tournament after the abrupt dismissal of Sabri Lamouchi.

Lamouchi, who had overseen Tunisia’s preparations and their opening match against Sweden, was removed from his post following a heavy 5-1 defeat and mounting unrest inside the dressing room. The Tunisian Football Federation confirmed his exit late on Monday, ending a turbulent tenure marked by tension with both officials and senior players.

Renard, 57, is expected to join the squad in Mexico, where Tunisia are based, and will take charge of his first training session in Monterrey shortly after his arrival. His appointment is a bold attempt to stabilise a campaign that has veered off course after just one game.

The move is historic. It is the first time in men’s World Cup history that a team has sacked its head coach after a single match at the finals, underlining the depth of dissatisfaction with Lamouchi’s leadership and the urgency felt within the federation.

Renard brings vast international experience and a reputation as a tournament specialist. This will be his third men’s World Cup with a third different nation. In 2018 he guided Morocco, who exited at the group stage despite competitive performances. In 2022 he led Saudi Arabia to one of the great World Cup shocks, a stunning victory over Argentina and Lionel Messi, although his side ultimately failed to progress after losing their remaining group games.

Beyond the men’s game, Renard also coached the French women’s national team at the Women’s World Cup, steering them to the quarterfinals before a narrow elimination by hosts Australia. His track record of quickly imposing structure and belief on national teams appears central to Tunisia’s gamble.

Wahbi Khazri, the former Tunisia international midfielder who served as Lamouchi’s assistant, will remain on the staff to provide continuity and insight into the squad’s dynamics. His presence may help Renard navigate a fractured dressing room and reconnect disillusioned players.

For Tunisia, the appointment is both a rescue mission and a statement of ambition. Renard inherits a team bruised by defeat and controversy, yet still alive in the tournament. How quickly he can impose his methods may determine whether this unprecedented mid-World Cup upheaval becomes a masterstroke or a cautionary tale.