KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) 鈥� Tunisia coach Herv茅 Renard is open to the possibility of leading the African nation’s program beyond the end of the
The 57-year-old Frenchman had been watching the tournament from Senegal when Tunisia following a 5-1 loss to Sweden. With the team in chaos, to lead the Eagles of Carthage the rest of the way, beginning with last week and concluding with Thursday night’s game against the Netherlands.
鈥淚鈥檓 open to any discussion. I鈥檓 ready to, you know, listen to the project,鈥� Renard said Wednesday, 鈥渂ut this is not what I鈥檓 here for.鈥�
The losses to Sweden and Japan mean Tunisia already has been eliminated from the knockout stage. It is the first nation since Greece at the 1994 tournament to lose each of its first two matches by at least four goals.
But even though Renard has only just joined the team, he still feels a sense of pride in competing on the world stage.
鈥淲e prepared for the match with Japan as good as possible,鈥� he said. 鈥淚’m not used to trying to find excuses, and blame and shame the others. I take these things to myself, and after Japan, I was a bit ashamed, and I was ashamed especially as regards to the Tunisians.
鈥淟et’s concentrate on the next game and try to find something difficult to reach.鈥�
The Netherlands and Japan each have four points in Group F, making the match between Tunisia and the Dutch an important one.
鈥淭he group is still solid. It’s still united,鈥� Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen said of his team. 鈥淭he only thing we need is to carry ourselves, carry our responsibilities. Everyone needs to be responsible.鈥�
Renard has coached numerous teams across Africa, including Zambia, Angola, Ivory Coast and Morocco. He’s also had two stints with Saudi Arabia, helping that nation to qualify for the World Cup before he was fired in April, before the tournament began.
At least for now, Renard’s deal with Tunisia ends after Thursday.
鈥淲e need to finish this competition as cleanly as possible,鈥� he said. 鈥淔ootball requires pride, even when the situation is difficult, and you need to be, you know, facing these situations with dignity, all the way to the end. And I hope we will maintain this pride and this dignity tomorrow as we play this great team of the Netherlands.鈥�
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