World Cup manager sensationally sacked mid-tournament after just one group game
Tunisia has reportedly sacked manager Sabri Lamouchi following a savage 5-1 loss to Sweden.
The North African nation's first fixture was against Sweden in Monterrey, Mexico, earlier today – and the game couldn't have gone much worse for the Tunisian team.
Despite a goal from Omar Rekik to pull the game back to 2-1, the Swedes would go on to score a further three goals, leaving Tunisia languishing at the bottom of Group F.
And it would appear officials in the Tunisian camp have been quick to react to the loss, with French journalist Romain Molina reporting that Lamouchi has now been given his marching orders.
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"It's the end for Sabri Lamouchi at the helm of the Tunisian national team," Molina wrote on X earlier today.
Lamouchi, the former head coach at Birmingham City and Cardiff City teams, had only been in charge of the Tunisian team for the past five matches, after being appointed in January.
An official statement confirming Lamouchi's departure has not been shared by the Tunisian Football Federation.
Meanwhile, Tunisian media are reporting allegations of fights breaking out in the country's camp, with radio station Mosaique FM alleging that a scuffle occurred between Lamouchi's son and a supporter.
When asked about his son's presence in the Tunisian camp, Lamouchi gave a lengthy statement to reporters (via talkSPORT): "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."
He continued: "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?"
A candidate for Lamouchi's replacement is not yet clear, with talkSPORT suggesting that technical director Mondher Kbaier will take over, while MailOnline has stated that it could be his assistant Wahbi Khazri.
Brenna Cooper