Zidane Reunites With Old Allies for His New Chapter With France

The new Les Bleus head coach will have Fabien Barthez as his goalkeeper coach, alongside several trusted figures from his Real Madrid days.

Zinédine Zidane has finalized the coaching staff that will accompany him in his new role as head coach of the French national team. The French Football Federation confirmed the full structure, which is considerably larger than the staff Didier Deschamps worked with during his tenure.

The biggest headline is undoubtedly Fabien Barthez, who will take charge of the goalkeepers. His appointment carries plenty of symbolism, as Barthez and Zidane were teammates with France when they won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. More than two decades later, the two French legends are reunited, this time on the coaching staff.

Zidane has also surrounded himself with familiar faces. David Bettoni, his longtime assistant during his Real Madrid tenure, will once again work alongside him. Hamidou Msaidie will also join the staff as an assistant coach.

Another familiar name is Grégory Dupont, who will serve as strategic and performance advisor. Dupont previously worked with France during their 2018 World Cup triumph and later crossed paths with Zidane at Real Madrid.

The staff is completed by Farid Tabet, who will combine assistant coaching duties with video analysis, and Clément Ybert, an assistant video analyst.

Zidane therefore begins his France adventure surrounded by trusted figures, with a familiar face from one of the greatest periods in French football beside him. The partnership that once helped France make history on the pitch now gets a second chapter from the sidelines.