World Cup 2026: Hervé Renard breaks the silence on his future with Tunisia

Appointed urgently in the middle of the World Cup, Hervé Renard delivered a frank assessment after Tunisia's elimination. Oscillating between admitted shame and an uncertain future, the Frenchman laid it all out in the press conference.

Brought in as an emergency replacement after Sabri Lamouchi’s dismissal, Hervé Renard couldn’t work the miracle fans had hoped for. Thrashed 4-0 by Japan in his debut on the bench, Tunisia now faces a final, inconsequential match against the Netherlands. In the press conference, the French tactician spoke with unfiltered honesty.

"It’s always difficult to explain everything that happens in football. If confidence disappears, you don’t play the same way as before. This is a very tough period for the Tunisian team. Sometimes, this just happens in football," he said.

"Even when it gets tougher, you have to live up to it for yourself, remain dignified until the end. I hope we’ll show that pride against the Netherlands," he added.

"After the Japan match, I was ashamed," he admitted.

Read also: World Cup 2026 / Tunisia - Netherlands: which channels and what time to watch the match live?

On his personal situation, Renard didn’t dodge the question. Asked about his future, he chose honesty:

"I came for a mission during the World Cup. After the Japan match, I felt ashamed towards the Tunisian fans; that feeling of shame drove me more than thoughts about my future. Let’s focus on the last match and try to achieve something difficult but necessary," he revealed.

As for a possible continuation, Renard remains open:

"For the federation, I’m open to discussions, ready to listen to the project."

He added a more personal reflection:

"I missed Africa. I don’t know what my future holds, but I think I’ll stay on this continent."

An admission that keeps all options on the table.

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

Editor

Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

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