Wahbi Khazri central to Tunisia turmoil after Lamouchi sacked at World Cup | OneFootball

Wahbi Khazri remains in Tunisia’s national-team set-up after Sabri Lamouchi was sacked following the 5-1 defeat to Sweden at the World Cup. The former Sunderland forward is at the centre of the turmoil.

The Tunisian federation said in a statement that an agreement had been reached to dismiss Lamouchi, with plans under way to appoint Mondher Kebaier on an interim basis.

Khazri, part of the coaching staff, stays in place for now. He had been mentioned as a potential stopgap, though Tunisia now look set to turn to Kebaier temporarily.

Lamouchi was appointed in January and oversaw just five matches. A 5-0 friendly defeat to Belgium in Brussels had increased pressure before the tournament.

The opening 5-1 reverse against Sweden proved decisive. Tunisia face Japan on Saturday at the same stadium in Guadalupe, then finish their group campaign against the Netherlands in Kansas City.

For Khazri, this is his first major tournament as part of Tunisia’s staff. The 35-year-old is fondly remembered on Wearside after joining in January 2016 during Sam Allardyce’s survival push.

He scored in a 2-1 win over Manchester United with a free-kick past David de Gea, then supplied Lamine Kone’s late winner from a corner. He also struck a superb volley in the 3-2 victory over Chelsea that May.

Source: Sunderland Echo