Renard named emergency coach in Tunisia, Verdez launches scathing attack on RTL

Hervé Renard took over Tunisia in the midst of the 2026 World Cup, named in emergency after the Eagles of Carthage suffered a heavy defeat to Sweden (5-1) in their opening match. The Tunisian Federation removed Sabri Lamouchi after just the first game to call on the French coach, who has a strong reputation on the African continent.

Renard’s appointment is not unanimous. On Thursday on RTL, journalist Gilles Verdez leveled a particularly harsh criticism at the new coach. “Hervé Renard who shamefully took Lamouchi’s place. Him, really… He’s the worst of them all. I have no respect for Hervé Renard,” he said.

Verdez was apparently referring to Renard’s controversial spell as head coach of the French women’s team, which he left after the Bleues’ elimination in the quarter-finals of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, to join Saudi Arabia. “I didn’t have much respect for him for many reasons, but now it’s over,” he added.

The journalist also pointed to the responsibility of the Tunisian Federation, which chose to sack Lamouchi after just one competitive match—a decision he also judges questionable.

Renard, for his part, is already at work and is targeting a first result on June 21 against Japan. Tunisia, despite this catastrophic start to the tournament, mathematically retains its chances of qualification.