Former Sunderland star at centre of World Cup drama as Tunisia sack Lamouchi | OneFootball

Former Sunderland attacker Wahbi Khazri is at the centre of World Cup turmoil after Tunisia dismissed head coach Sabri Lamouchi following their 5-1 defeat to Sweden on Monday. It was their opening game.

The Tunisian federation said in an Instagram post that an agreement had been reached to dismiss Lamouchi, and that it was planning to install Mondher Kebaier as interim coach.

Khazri, part of the national team’s coaching staff, remains in place at his first major tournament in that role.

Lamouchi had been appointed in January and oversaw just five matches. Pressure had already grown after a 5-0 friendly loss to Belgium in Brussels.

Tunisia face Japan on Saturday at the same venue in Guadalupe. Their group campaign then finishes against the Netherlands in Kansas City.

Khazri, 35, is fondly remembered on Wearside for his role in Sam Allardyce’s 2016 survival push. He scored in a 2-1 victory against Manchester United and set up Lamine Kone’s late winner, then struck a superb volley in the 3-2 victory against Chelsea.

Source: Sunderland Echo