Four decades after Toulouse’s UEFA Cup triumph over Napoli, the Stadium turned its gaze from one goalkeeping generation to another. Philippe Bergeroo, back in the city where he spent six years between the posts, believes Guillaume Restes has already confirmed the promise spotted years ago.
Bergeroo welcomes Restes’ France breakthrough
Bergeroo, Toulouse goalkeeper from 1983 to 1989 and a three-cap France international, was invited to Saturday’s celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of the club’s UEFA Cup victory against Napoli.
Speaking about Restes’ first call-up to the France squad, the former goalkeeper said the 21-year-old’s rise had not come as a surprise to those close to Toulouse.
- Three years ago, Bergeroo met Fabien Barthez while the 1998 World Cup winner was working with Toulouse’s goalkeepers during the 2020-21 season.
- Barthez told Bergeroo that Toulouse had a young goalkeeper who would become “an excellent keeper”.
- Restes has since established himself with decisive saves, particularly in key moments, and has now earned his first senior France selection under Zinédine Zidane.
“He really has become a top goalkeeper,” Bergeroo said. “I have watched him in a few matches and he always seems to make the important stop at the right time. And he is only 21. I wish him every success.”
Barthez’s early prediction
Bergeroo said Barthez had been particularly convinced by the young goalkeeper’s profile, highlighting his movement, physical stature and comfort with the ball at his feet.
“Fabien told me I would be impressed by his gestures, his build and his distribution,” Bergeroo said. “He had seen it all. Fabien does not make those kinds of predictions lightly.”
For Bergeroo, Restes is also the latest product of a Toulouse goalkeeping tradition that remains strong. The current professional squad’s goalkeepers were developed at the club, and the former France international sees the system moving in the right direction.
“Toulouse has always had a very good school for goalkeepers, and that is still the case,” he said. “Hopefully more will follow, but with Guillaume they already have a phenomenon.”
