Tunisia's hot seat: 5 coaches in a year and a half

Tunisia experienced a two-year period of tranquility, continuity and stability on its bench from 2022 to early 2024. It was then that Tunisia entered a dizzying series of changes that led to five different coaches in just a year and a half.

In January 2024, Jalel Kadri resigned after the Africa Cup, where the national team finished last in its group. He did better at the 2022 World Cup, where, despite losing in the group stage, he earned four points and managed to defeat France in a historic 1-0 win. He is currently in charge of Al Hazem in the Saudi League.

He was succeeded by Montasser Louhichi, who remained in charge from the end of January to the end of June until Faouzi Benzarti took over. The current coach of Tunisian side Monastir arrived from Wydad Casablanca and only managed four Africa Cup qualifiers, with two wins, a draw and a loss.

The third coach in just half a year lasted until October, when the Federation signed Kais Yaakoubi. Under him, Tunisia beat Madagascar 2-3 and lost to Gambia 0-1 in the last two rounds of CAN qualifiers. That setback prevented them from finishing top of the group and, three months later, there was a new change on the bench.

Semi Trabelsi, the current coach and the fifth in 18 months, has managed two games with the national team at this stage. He was in charge of the national team between 2010 and 2013, before beginning an era with Qatar's Al Sailiya, where he stayed until 2023. For the time being, he has been in good form at the helm of the African team, which he consolidated its place at the top of the World Cup qualifiers with victories over Liberia (0-1) and Malawi (2-0).