Philippe Troussier has moved to the forefront of the race to become Tunisia’s next national team head coach, as the Tunisian Football Federation intensifies its search for a successor to Sami Trabelsi.
With the Carthage Eagles facing a pivotal period ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the experienced Frenchman is now widely viewed as a leading candidate to take charge of the rebuilding process.
Trabelsi was dismissed in the immediate aftermath of Tunisia’s Round of 16 exit at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where Mali ended their campaign.
His removal followed earlier disappointment at the Arab Cup in Qatar, where Tunisia failed to progress beyond the group stage.
The back-to-back tournament setbacks prompted the federation to act decisively, keen to stabilise the team and restore confidence ahead of a demanding international calendar.
Attention has since shifted to identifying the right profile to guide Tunisia forward, with debate raging between appointing a domestic coach or turning to foreign expertise.
Financial considerations remain a significant factor, but Troussier’s name has gained traction due to his availability, extensive African experience and familiarity with the regional football landscape.
According to reports from Tunisian outlet Mosaïque, the 70-year-old has formally submitted his application, placing himself firmly in contention as the selection process gathers pace.
Troussier’s coaching résumé spans several African heavyweights, including Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Morocco, though major silverware proved elusive during those spells.
His standout achievement came in 1998, when he led Burkina Faso to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, a run that cemented his reputation as a coach capable of organising competitive tournament sides.
More recently, he was in charge of Vietnam between 2023 and 2024 and is currently unattached, making him an accessible option for the Tunisian FA.
The Frenchman also has prior experience of Tunisian football, having briefly managed CS Sfaxien in 2014.
