The Fédération Française de Football officially announced that Fabien Barthez has joined the technical staff of incoming head coach Zinédine Zidane, taking over specific duties as the goalkeeping coach for the France national football team. The 55-year-old former goalkeeper and 1998 World Cup winner assumes a direct role within the selection’s coaching structure as part of a revamp of the national team management.
According to official announcements released by the federation and detailed in reports from Le Phocéen, Barthez’s appointment brings a figure of French football history directly into the daily oversight of the squad’s netminders.
Building the New Staff Under Zinédine Zidane
The federation confirmed that Barthez will not operate alone in shaping the new sporting direction under Zidane. The initial technical staff rollout includes David Bettoni named as assistant coach, Hamidou Msaidie serving as assistant coach, and Grégory Dupont taking on the role of strategy and performance advisor, as reported by Le Phocéen.
Additional operational roles have also been assigned to support the coaching framework. Stéphane Plancque steps in as an observer, while Farid Tabet and Clément Ybert take charge of data and video analysis. On the medical and operational side, Dr. Hervé Collado leads the medical staff alongside multiple physiotherapists, and Laurent Georges assumes responsibilities as team manager.
Upcoming Appointments and September Deadline
The newly unveiled roster of coaches and staff does not yet represent the final configuration of the national team’s backroom personnel. The governing body stated that the staff of the France national team will be completed and presented in its entirety at the beginning of the month of September.
That forthcoming final presentation will incorporate a designated liaison officer, a position established under an existing convention between the football federation and the Ministry of the Interior.
A Historic Return for a World Cup Icon
Barthez’s integration into the national setup reunites one of France’s most decorated international players with the federation where he earned 87 caps between 1994 and 2006. Beyond his 1998 World Cup triumph on home soil, Barthez also lifted the Henri Delaunay Trophy at UEFA Euro 2000, establishing a legacy as one of the definitive shot-stoppers of his era.
By bringing Barthez into the training ground alongside fellow 1998 teammate Zidane, the federation relies heavily on institutional memory and championship pedigree to mentor the next generation of French goalkeeping talent.
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