BBC SPORT | Sports Talk | Is Lemerre the right choice for Tunisia?

Henri Michel looks set be named the new coach of Tunisia.

Will he be fantastic, or a flop?

This debate is now closed.

One of the world's most high-profile coaches, former France boss Roger Lemerre, looks set to sign to take charge of Tunisia at the weekend.

Lemerre heads to Tunisia

Lemerre won the European Championship with France in 2000, although his side dismally failed to defend the World Cup in 2002.

Meanwhile Tunisia's history under French coaches is varied to say the least.

Henri Kasperczak is regarded as the greatest ever Carthage Eagles boss, but compatriot Henri Michel was a flop earlier in the year at Mali 2002.

Will Lemerre have a nightmare, or can he make the Carthage Eagles soar?

Lemerre wouldn't last six months

Dino Nechal, France

I believe that he can resuscitate the magic which deserted him during the 2002 World Cup with the French team. The man has a lot in his head and also has a touch of self-discipline as he exhibited at the World Cup. With the responsive nature of African players to European coaches, he is going to make the Tunisian team a force to reckon with. Congratulations, Tunisian FA, for making the right choice.
Aminu Sanda, Sweden

Anybody for bets? Lemerre wouldn't last six months. He will be sacked because he is a second-class coach. African countries have the knack of hiring coaches on the basis of their reputation and not on their previous results. Lemerre won the Euro 2000? No way, it was down to the players and down to luck.
Dino Nechal, France

Lamerre is the right choice. Just because France did not do well at the World Cup does not mean Lamerre is useless. At least he took them to the European Championship. Luck was not on their side in Korea/Japan. I think Lamerre will do a good job.
Seun, USA

I do not think that Lamere is the right choice for Tunisia. He played a devastating World Cup with France which saw him lose to Senegal. I think a great manager for Tunisia should be former Morocco coach, the Porteguese Humberto Cuelho. Lemerre couldn't get a goal with France in the World Cup and Tunisia have problems scoring goals which means Roger Lamere is not the man for thr North Africans!
Rashid, Morocco

It would not matter if the coach was Arsene Wenger or Fabio Capello, no amount of coaching can help Tunisian forwards find a way to score

Nabil, Tunisia

The Tunisian FA should not think hiring a first class coach in the pedigree of Lamerre will solve the poor state of their soccer. Lamerre will do well with the team - but only with good support on the part of the FA and highly dedicated players. A coach doesn't work magic, does he? Without support from the pair (FA and players), he will get the boot before he breathes the Tunis air, as is the tradition in Africa.
Oluwashina Okeleji, Nigeria

It is not the coach who plays for the players on the field. One cannot use the performance of France in the last World Cup to judge his ability. I still believe that the France team was totally unlucky in the last World Cup due to some other factors, not coaching. Let us give the man the chance to prove himself.
Adeagbo, Waheed Adeniyi, Germany

Frankly the whole situation of the coaching merry-go-round in Tunisian and African football in general is very tiresome. Lemerre is a good choice as his credentials speak for themsleves but at the end of the day the players must produce and in Tunisia's case must find a way to score. It would not matter if the coach was Arsene Wenger or Fabio Capello, no amount of coaching can help Tunisian forwards find a way to score even the most clear cut oppertunites.
Nabil, Tunisia

I think it is a step in the right direction. With the experience of coach Lemere and and the talents that abound in Tunisia, I think there is a real potential of Lemerre succeeeding. Tunisia has the potential to be great. Their greatest problem has been the services of a top class coach.
Carruthers Kwaku Dzramedo, Ghana

France won Euro 2000 not because of Lamerre but in spite of Lamerre

Pete James, USA

I think Roger Lemerre could be the right choice for Tunisia for several reasons. Firstly he is familiar with Tunisian football, administrators and a number of players, having coached Esperance in 1996. Second he would be more focused, as there will less pressure from the Tunisian public, not least because Tunisia are hosting CAN 2004 and do not need to qualify. Thirdly he is an experienced coach, having coached and led Les Bleus to the 2000 European Championship. And fourth, he could elevate Tunisian footbal by helping Tunisian footballers secure contracts with European clubs, particularly French clubs.
Vamba S.Fofana, USA/Liberia

Tunisia has made the right choice by appointing Lemerre. With his technical and tactical nous, I hope Tunisia has players that would match his ambition and pedigree. As a Nigerian I shudder at the things going on in my country's FA. It is taking ages to appoint a coach and you can bet they'll sign one from the backwaters of Europe who is in need of rehabilitation.
Adetunji,I Bamidele, Nigeria

Lamerre is not the right man for the job! France's World Cup performance against Senegal shows Lamerre's total lack of understanding of African football. Let's not forget that he refused to engage an African team in a pre-World Cup friendly even though he knew that his team would be facing Senegal. Contrast that tactic with England's. In preparation for Nigeria, England played a friendly match with Cameroon, to prepare for Argentina, England played against a team from South America - Paraguay.

Besides, Lamerre's tactics at Euro 2000 were not the best. France won Euro 2000 not because of Lamerre but in spite of Lamerre. It is ironic that Tunisia who has a lot problems scoring goals would hire a manager whose team - a World Cup winning team - could not even score a single goal during the world cup. Go figure!
Pete James, USA