Tunisia has sacked Sabri Lamouchi as head coach of the national football team after just five months in charge, replacing him with his predecessor Mondher Kebaier. The abrupt change, announced by the Tunisian Football Federation, underscores the recurring instability that has plagued the Carthage Eagles and threatens their chances in the upcoming World Cup.
A short tenure
Lamouchi was appointed in June 2024, tasked with leading the team through the final stretch of qualifiers and into the tournament. Instead, his reign ended before the new year. The federation cited unspecified reasons for the dismissal, but sources close to the team say results and internal tensions contributed to the decision. Under Lamouchi, Tunisia managed three wins, two draws, and one loss in six matches—a record that fell short of expectations for a side that had reached the World Cup round of 16 in 2022.
Why Kebaier is back
Mondher Kebaier, who coached Tunisia from 2019 to 2022, returns to a familiar role. His first stint included a quarterfinal appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021 and a narrow failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup—Tunisia only made it after his departure. The federation has not disclosed the length of Kebaier's new contract, but the move signals a desire for stability through a known figure. Critics, however, view the rotation of coaches as a symptom of deeper problems within the federation's planning.
What the instability means
Switching coaches five months before a World Cup is rarely a recipe for success. Building tactics, chemistry, and a cohesive game plan takes time—time that Tunisia no longer has. The team's next match is a friendly in January, followed by a critical qualifier in March. Kebaier will have to rebuild quickly.
Tunisia's World Cup progression relies on its defensive organization and experienced players like goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen and midfielder Ellyes Skhiri. But constant changes behind the bench can erode discipline and morale. The long-term development of younger players also suffers when coaches don't get enough time to implement their methods.
The unresolved question
No one doubts Kebaier knows the squad. But whether he can reverse the turmoil and prepare Tunisia to compete on the global stage is unclear. The federation's pattern of short coaching tenures suggests that the next setback might trigger another change—before the World Cup is even over.
