Tunisia’s Herve Renard embraces challenge against Japan

New Tunisia head coach Herve Renard held his first practice with the squad, shortly after replacing Sabri Lamouchi, who was fired after the team’s 5-1 thumping to Sweden.

The 57-year-old Frenchman had four days to get the team prepared for its second Group F game against Japan on Saturday.

“At the moment we need to be focused on ourselves,” Renard told reporters at the team’s training ground just hours after flying into Monterrey on Tuesday.

“We still have a few days to be ready.”  Renard led Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the Green Falcons earned a shocking 2-1 victory over favourite and eventual champion Argentina.

In the 2018 tournament, his Moroccan side earned a draw against Spain but failed to reach the knockout stage. Renard said he was eager to experience the trill of the tournament again.

“It’s a World Cup,” he said. “I know the passion around this event. That’s what motivated me to come and it’s a challenge which isn’t easy.”