World Cup manager was sacked after one game for doing the one thing he was not meant to do

Sabri Lamouchi was told to avoid embarrassment at the World Cup by the Tunisian Football Federation and failed.

After a 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opener, Tunisia sacked former Nottingham Forest boss Lamouchi.

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Tunisia’s technical director Mondher Kebaier was due to take charge, but they’ve appointed Herve Renard.

Renard is the former Zambia, Ivory Coast and Saudi Arabia manager, and he will take charge until the end of the World Cup.

And African football expert Ali Howorth revealed on The Sports Bar that Lamouchi simply had to avoid a thrashing, and he would have been fine.

Speaking with Jason Cundy and Carlton Cole, he said: “Tunisia are in a bit of a funny position, they’ve been stuck in this rut for a number of years, where they come into World Cups and Africa Cup of Nations and usually stink out the place.

“We saw that in the Africa Cup of Nations where they got knocked out by a ten-man Mali side.

“So, they tried to reset the team with Lamouchi. They got rid of a lot of the more experienced players and brought through young and exciting players.

“Lamouchi had one remit at this World Cup – don’t embarrass yourself.

“They didn’t care about getting out of the group or doing well, but he did the one thing he was not meant to do, which was get humiliated, and that’s what happened.”

And in terms of what Tunisia want to do now with the Netherlands and Japan to come, Howorth said: “Lamouchi’s remit was just don’t get embarrassed, and it was about surviving, and he just couldn’t do that.

“The fans now expect a return to the Tunisian identity, which is defence first, and that is the approach I expect.

“Expectations were on the floor coming into this World Cup because there were none.

“Tunisian confidence was at an all-time low, so there wasn’t any hope coming into the tournament.

“So, for the last two games, it will be about saving face because at the last World Cup, Tunisia were already out before they beat France.

“So, there are no expectations. This team is at rock-bottom.”

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The end for Lamouchi

After the full-time whistle, fights reportedly broke out in the camp.

They carried on back at the team hotel, and Lamouchi’s son reportedly had a scrap with a supporter.

When asked about his son’s role at the tournament, Lamouchi said: “As a father I’ll answer you first, and it’s also the coach who’ll answer you. 

“I’m sure there are family connections here, but my son plays no part in the selection process. 

“When I say there were five players there, he’s there, he’s working on his thesis, he has no official role, he’s no longer on the pitch. And right now, as we speak, he’s not here; he’s feeling awkward. 

“Do you know where he is? He’s with his grandmother, my mother and my sister, because yesterday was Eid, so my mother came to visit. Are you going to criticise me for having my mother stay at the hotel as well? 

“Let’s be serious and make sure we ask the right questions and do our best to look after our interests, because what’s in your interests: is it to argue about something that’s not worth arguing about, or is it to focus on how Austria will play, how Belgium will play and how we’ll prepare for Sweden?

“Me, like all of you, I really want us to reach the second round.

“You think I will answer questions about what is said on social media?”

Soon after, he was sacked and Renard is in place to take the Japan and Netherlands games.