Sabri Lamouchi is facing an uncertain future as Tunisia manager following his side’s heavy World Cup defeat to Sweden in the early hours of Monday morning.
The former Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City boss has come under increasing pressure after Tunisia opened their tournament with a 5-1 loss, with reports in the country’s media suggesting his position is now under review.
According to Tunisian broadcaster Mosaique FM, senior figures within the Tunisian delegation requested an emergency meeting following the defeat to discuss the team’s direction and Lamouchi’s future.
The report claimed that no final decision had been announced immediately after the match, though speculation over the manager’s position intensified in the hours that followed.
Lamouchi has only been in charge since January and has overseen five matches since his appointment.
It has also been rumoured that former Sunderland forward Wahbi Khazri, who is currently part of Lamouchi’s coaching staff, could emerge as a candidate should a managerial change take place.
The fallout from the defeat has extended beyond the pitch.
Rumours of tensions around the Tunisia camp swirled following the match, while separate reports circulating on social media claiming there had been a ‘fight’ involving Lamouchi’s son and a supporter at the team’s hotel.
Sabri Lamouchi is facing an uncertain future as Tunisia manager following his side’s heavy World Cup defeat to Sweden in the early hours of Monday morning
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GETTY
French journalist Romain Molina subsequently claimed on social media that Lamouchi’s time in charge of Tunisia was nearing an end.
“It’s the end for Sabri Lamouchi at the helm of the Tunisian national team,” Molina wrote.
Amid the speculation, Lamouchi was also asked about discussion surrounding his son and his presence around the national team during a media appearance.
The Tunisia manager strongly rejected any suggestion that his son had any influence over football matters.
Every team to have won the World Cup | GETTY/GB NEWS
“As a father I’ll answer you first, and it’s also the coach who’ll answer you,” Lamouchi said.
“My son plays no part in the selection process.”
The former Ivory Coast international went on to explain that his son does not hold an official role within the national team structure.
“He’s working on his thesis,” Lamouchi said.
“He has no official role.”
Furthermore, the Tunisia boss expressed frustration at what he felt were distractions from football matters as his team attempts to recover from a difficult start to the World Cup.
Sweden were impressive as they ran riot against Tunisia in their first World Cup match | GETTY
“Let’s be serious and make sure we ask the right questions,” he added.
“What is in your interests? To argue about something that’s not worth arguing about, or to focus on how we’ll prepare for our next matches?”
Lamouchi insisted his sole focus remains on helping Tunisia respond positively after the defeat to Sweden.
The loss leaves the North African side under immediate pressure heading into the remainder of the group stage, with little margin for error if they are to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds alive.
