Renard Confirms Tunisia Exit As Short-Term World Cup Mission Nears End

Tunisia head coach Hervé Renard has revealed that his contract with the Carthage Eagles will expire at the end of the FIFA World Cup, confirming that he was appointed solely to oversee the nation’s campaign at the tournament.

The Frenchman disclosed that there are currently no plans for him to remain in charge beyond Tunisia’s final Group F fixture against the Netherlands on Thursday, following the team’s early elimination from the competition.

Renard was brought in on an emergency basis after Tunisia parted ways with Sabri Lamouchi in the build-up to the World Cup. However, the veteran coach was unable to halt the North Africans’ slide, with a heavy defeat to Japan on Saturday ending their hopes of reaching the knockout stages after just two matches.

Speaking to ESPN on Monday, Renard clarified the nature of his appointment.

“I’ve come for a World Cup mission. I have not signed beyond that.”

His comments put an end to speculation over whether the Tunisia Football Federation viewed his arrival as a long-term project or merely a short-term solution for the tournament.

Renard was officially appointed last Tuesday after Lamouchi’s departure, which followed a disastrous run of results. Tunisia suffered a crushing 5-0 defeat to Belgium in a pre-World Cup friendly before opening their Group F campaign with a 5-1 loss to Sweden in Monterrey.

The 57-year-old arrived with one of the most impressive international coaching records in African football. He guided Zambia to a remarkable Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 2012 before leading Ivory Coast to continental glory three years later. He also masterminded Saudi Arabia’s famous victory over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.