Zidane Reveals France Backroom Team as World Cup Winner Fabien Barthez Gets Key Role

Zinedine Zidane has officially put his new France coaching team in place, with former international teammate Fabien Barthez returning to the national setup as goalkeeper coach.

The French Football Federation has confirmed the staff that will work alongside Zidane as he begins his tenure as France head coach. The announcement brings together several trusted figures from Zidane's coaching career with a familiar face from France's golden generation.

Barthez Returns to Les Bleus

The biggest headline from the announcement is the return of Fabien Barthez.

The former France goalkeeper has been appointed goalkeeping coach, reuniting with Zidane more than two decades after the pair helped France win the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.

Barthez will now be responsible for working with France's goalkeepers as Zidane begins building his own identity around the national team.[�OneFootball +1]

It is a particularly significant reunion given their history together.

Zidane and Barthez were central figures in one of the most successful periods in French football, and their relationship could now continue from the technical area rather than the pitch.

Zidane's Trusted Lieutenant Gets a Role

David Bettoni has been appointed as one of Zidane's assistant coaches, continuing a partnership that stretches back to their time together at Real Madrid.

Hamidou Msaidie will also serve as an assistant coach.

The appointments demonstrate Zidane's desire to surround himself with people he already trusts as he begins one of the biggest challenges of his managerial career.

The Full Coaching Team

The FFF has confirmed the following structure:

•Zinedine Zidane — Head coach

•David Bettoni — Assistant coach

•Hamidou Msaidie — Assistant coach

•Fabien Barthez — Goalkeeping coach

•Grégory Dupont — Strategy and performance adviser

•Stéphane Blanc — Technical observer

•Fred Tabet — Assistant coach and video data analyst

•Clément Ébert — Assistant video analyst

The medical department will also feature a seven-member team supporting the squad's fitness and wellbeing.

A Fresh Era for France

Zidane's appointment represents the beginning of a new chapter for Les Bleus following Didier Deschamps' long spell in charge.

The former Real Madrid boss has been away from club management since leaving Madrid in 2021, but he now returns to the dugout with an enormous challenge in front of him.

France possess one of the deepest pools of talent in international football, with players such as Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and a generation of emerging stars giving Zidane plenty of options.

His job will be turning that talent into another era of international success.

Why Barthez Could Be Important

Barthez brings more than his reputation as a former World Cup-winning goalkeeper.

He understands the pressures surrounding the France shirt from personal experience and has worked at the highest level of the game.

His relationship with Zidane could also be valuable.

The pair already know each other's personalities and expectations, while their shared experience of winning major tournaments gives the new coaching setup an immediate connection to France's successful past.

Zidane Builds Around Familiar Faces

The composition of the staff suggests Zidane wants a team he can trust from the beginning.

Bettoni is a particularly important appointment because of his long association with Zidane.

Rather than completely starting from scratch, the new France boss has brought together trusted collaborators while adding Barthez, one of the most recognisable goalkeepers in French football history.

That combination could help Zidane establish his methods quickly.

The Real Test Starts Now

The appointments themselves are only the beginning.

Zidane will ultimately be judged by what happens on the pitch.

France expect to challenge for major honours, and the new manager will be under pressure to make the most of a squad containing world-class talent across almost every position.

For Barthez, meanwhile, the return to the national team offers an opportunity to influence the next generation of French goalkeepers.

The reunion is certainly one of the most intriguing elements of Zidane's new era.

Zidane has his team. Barthez is back. And a new chapter for France has officially begun.

Fan Debate

●⚽ Goal: Is Barthez the right choice as France's goalkeeper coach?

●🔥 Fire: Zidane and Barthez back together for Les Bleus!

●😲 Shock: Which member of Zidane's staff surprised you most?

●👍 Like: Can Zidane lead France to another major trophy?

●💬 Comment: What is your prediction for Zidane's France?