Fabien Barthez has been appointed as the new goalkeeper coach for the France national football team, joining the backroom staff of newly installed manager Zinédine Zidane, according to official announcements from the Fédération Française de Football. The 55-year-old former international, who earned 87 caps during his playing career and lifted the 1998 World Cup alongside Zidane, takes over specific coaching duties for the senior squad ahead of their upcoming autumn fixtures.
The appointment forms part of a broader restructuring of the national team staff following Zidane’s selection to succeed Didier Deschamps on July 28. Barthez, remembered for his exploits with Toulouse, Monaco, and Marseille, brings a wealth of tournament experience to Clairefontaine. In addition to the 1998 global crown, his playing resume includes victories at the 2000 European Championship, the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup, and a runner-up finish at the 2006 World Cup, alongside a UEFA Champions League title with Marseille in 1993.
A Familiar Core Joins the Technical Staff
Barthez is not the only high-profile addition to the coaching setup under Zidane. According to reports from regional and national outlets, David Bettoni returns as assistant coach, a role he held during Zidane’s managerial stints at Real Madrid. Hamidou Msaidie also joins as an assistant coach, bringing further continuity from their shared years in the Spanish capital.
Physical preparation and tactical analysis have similarly seen targeted reinforcements. Grégory Dupont, who was part of the staff for France during their 2018 World Cup campaign as physical trainer, returns to the setup under the title of strategy and performance adviser. Meanwhile, Stéphane Plancque resumes his role as an observer responsible for analyzing opponents, having previously performed identical duties for Zidane at Real Madrid.
Staff Finalization and Upcoming Fixtures
The French federation indicated that the final composition of the backroom staff will be completed before the squad assembles in September. The federation confirmed that the definitive list will incorporate a liaison officer supplied by the Ministry of Interior to oversee security protocols. Meanwhile, Mohamed Sanhadji remains within the operational structure to manage logistics and security.
The medical department has undergone a significant overhaul with the departure of long-serving team doctor Frank Le Gall, who had been in place since 2012. Hervé Collado steps into the role, bringing prior experience from the French women’s national team and the national triathlon selection.
Zidane will oversee his first training camp at Clairefontaine in September before leading Les Bleus into competitive action. France travels to face Turkey on September 25 in the Ligue des nations.
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