World Cup 2026: Who is Herve Renard and can he rescue Tunisia?

Tightening up at the back will be Renard’s first task, with the thrashing by Sweden following a 5-0 reverse against Belgium in Tunisia’s final warm-up match.

Lamouchi said his side made “way too many mistakes” in Monterrey and Renard, who is known as a disciplinarian, has told his players they have to “move forward” from that opening defeat.

“I just told them we have to hold our heads high… you’re here to represent the country, Tunisia. It’s an honour, it’s a duty,” he added.

“We owe it to ourselves to do much better.”

Tembwe believes Renard’s motivational speeches were key to his Afcon success with Zambia.

“If you listen to Herve’s pep talk in the semi-final against Ghana, you realise that Zambia won that match in the dressing room.

“He described every player there and told the Zambia players what to do [and] especially what not to do. The famous white shirt delivered.”

Renard came up against Japan in World Cup qualifiers during his stints with Saudi Arabia, and will call on that knowledge as he attempts to guide Tunisia through to the knockout stage for the first time.

If he can deliver a place in the last 32, Renard will have another achievement to add to his remarkable coaching CV.

Additional reporting by Isaiah Akinremi.