Wahbi Khazri amid World Cup turmoil as Tunisia sack Sabri Lamouchi after 5-1 Sweden loss | OneFootball

Former Sunderland star Wahbi Khazri is at the centre of World Cup upheaval as Tunisia sacked head coach Sabri Lamouchi after a 5-1 loss to Sweden. Khazri, on the coaching staff, remains with the squad.

The Tunisian federation said in a statement on Instagram that an agreement had been reached to dismiss Lamouchi, and that plans were under way to appoint Mondher Kebaier as interim head coach. The dismissal came on Monday after the heavy opening-game defeat.

Khazri had been mentioned as a potential stopgap after Lamouchis exit, although Tunisia now appear set to turn to Kebaier on an interim basis. Lamouchi was appointed in January and oversaw only five matches.

Pressure had mounted before the tournament after a 5-0 friendly defeat to Belgium in Brussels. The 5-1 reverse to Sweden proved decisive, and there were reports of unrest around the camp after full-time and later at the team hotel.

Tunisia face Japan on Saturday at the same stadium in Guadalupe where Sweden beat them. They then complete their group against the Netherlands in Kansas City.

Khazri, 35, is fondly remembered on Wearside after joining Sunderland in January 2016 and playing a key role in Sam Allardyces survival push, scoring notable goals against Manchester United and Chelsea.

Source: Sunderland Echo