In one of the most lucrative short-term deals in World Cup history, Tunisia’s interim head coach Hervé Renard is set to earn a staggering €200,000 for overseeing just two group-stage matches at the 2026 World Cup. That translates to a cool €100,000 per game.
The French tactician was brought in on an emergency basis after the Tunisian Football Federation sacked Sabri Lamouchi following a disastrous 5-1 opening defeat to Sweden. With the team already on the brink, Renard agreed to a short-term contract covering only the remaining group fixtures against Japan and the Netherlands.
According to reports from Arabic outlet Wimwim and confirmed by multiple sources, the deal was worth approximately R$1.2 million (Brazilian reais). The agreement stipulated that a new, long-term contract would be negotiated had Tunisia advanced to the knockout stages.
However, those negotiations will never take place. Tunisia became the first African nation eliminated from the tournament after suffering a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Japan. The result, combined with their opening loss, left the Carthage Eagles rooted to the bottom of Group F with zero points.
Renard, who previously led Saudi Arabia to a famous victory over Argentina in the 2022 World Cup, was unable to spark a revival. After the Japan defeat, a candid Renard admitted the scale of the task, stating: “The morale is low, but the players tried hard and we faced a much superior team. We know we are eliminated, so we will need to show some pride in the last match”.
That last match comes on Thursday against the Netherlands, a game that is now little more than a consolation fixture. Renard is expected to leave his post immediately after.
For context, the €200,000 fee is actually a significant pay cut for the 57-year-old. During his tenure with Saudi Arabia, he earned an estimated €5 million annually—over €400,000 per month. His short-term rescue mission may have ended in failure, but with €100,000 per match, Renard has certainly secured the bag.
