Wahbi Khazri central to Tunisia turmoil as Lamouchi sacked after 5-1 World Cup loss | OneFootball

Former Sunderland star Wahbi Khazri is at the centre of World Cup turmoil after Tunisia sacked head coach Sabri Lamouchi following a 5-1 defeat to Sweden. The Tunisian football federation said in a statement that Lamouchi had been dismissed and that plans were under way to appoint Mondher Kebaier on an interim basis.

Khazri, part of the national team’s coaching staff, remains in post. He had been floated as a possible step-up option after Lamouchi’s exit.

Pressure had mounted before the tournament with a 5-0 friendly loss to Belgium in Brussels. The opening-game reverse to Sweden then proved decisive.

Lamouchi was appointed in January and oversaw five matches before being removed. Tunisia will face Japan on Saturday at the same stadium in Guadalupe where they were beaten by Sweden.

They then complete their group against the Netherlands in Kansas City. For Khazri, this is a remarkable situation at his first major tournament as part of the coaching set-up.

The 35-year-old remains a favourite on Wearside after joining Sunderland in January 2016 during Sam Allardyce’s survival push. He scored in the 2-1 win over Manchester United with a free-kick that beat David de Gea, and supplied the corner for Lamine Kone’s late winner.

Khazri also netted a superb volley in the 3-2 victory over Chelsea in May 2016.

Source: Sunderland Echo