Grégory Dupont will maintain his position as director of football at Red Star FC while simultaneously joining the coaching staff of the France national team under Zinédine Zidane, according to recent sporting reports. The dual appointment places one of football’s most respected fitness and performance specialists back in the international spotlight as preparations continue across French football structures.
Dupont earned widespread acclaim for his work as the fitness coach for Les Bleus during their triumphant 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign in Russia. His scientific approach to physical preparation and recovery drew praise from players and managers alike throughout the tournament. Following that success, he spent two seasons at Real Madrid starting in 2019, working directly under Zinédine Zidane during the French manager’s second stint at the Santiago Bernabéu. During that period in the Spanish capital, Dupont helped guide Real Madrid to the 2019–20 La Liga title, managing player fitness through the unprecedented disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Red Star FC, competing in France’s professional divisions, appointed Dupont as director of football to oversee the club’s sporting direction and player development pathways. Club officials confirmed that Dupont’s transition into the national team setup alongside Zidane will not disrupt his ongoing executive duties at the historic Parisian club. The arrangement allows Dupont to balance his high-performance commitments at the international level with structural oversight at Red Star.
The timing of the appointment coincides with ongoing speculation regarding the future leadership of the France national team. While Didier Deschamps has held the managerial post since 2012, his contract and future plans have regularly fueled discussions across French media outlets regarding potential successors. Zidane has remained out of management since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, frequently being linked with the national team job should it become vacant. Incorporating trusted figures like Dupont into a prospective or developing staff underscores the cohesion of the performance group that previously found success in Madrid.
For Red Star FC, retaining Dupont provides stability in the sporting department. The club, based in Saint-Ouen just north of Paris, has emphasized long-term modernization of its academy and scouting networks. Dupont’s expertise in load management, sports science, and elite squad building remains central to those internal objectives. Observers within French football note that his ability to multitask between club administration and high-level national team coaching highlights the growing convergence of sports science and executive management in modern football.
Official announcements from the relevant football bodies are expected to outline the exact scope and schedule of Dupont’s responsibilities as international fixtures approach. Stakeholders at both Red Star and within French football circles continue to monitor how the dual role will function practically once training camps open.
