Former EFL boss sacked from World Cup job just one game into tournament as replacement instantly named

Sabri Lamouchi has been sacked by Tunisia just one game into the World Cup.

Tunisia were thrashed 5-1 in their World Cup opener against Sweden on Sunday night, with Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres on the scoresheet.

Lamouchi will be replaced as Tunisia boss after one game at the World CupGetty

The former Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City boss has managed just five games for Tunisia since taking over the job in January.

He managed just one win and one draw across those five matches.

Speaking after the match, the 54-year-old said: “It’s a tough defeat, it’s painful to start the competition with such a heavy loss.

“We made far too many mistakes and, with world-class players like the two Swedish forwards, that’s unforgivable.”

Meanwhile, there were also reports of fights in the Tunisian camp immediately after full-time.

These then carried on back at the team hotel. 

According to Tunisian radio station Mosaique FM, a fight also broke out between Lamouchi’s son and a supporter.

When asked about his son, 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. 

Sweden ran riot in their opening game of the tournamentGetty

“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?”

Tunisia’s technical director, Mondher Kebaier, takes control of the team for the rest of the tournament.

Their next game sees them face Japan on Sunday at 5am before rounding off their campaign against the Netherlands at midnight on Friday June 26.

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