The first squad announcement of Zinédine Zidane’s France reign also brought a notable reunion from the 1998 World Cup generation. Fabien Barthez has joined the national-team staff as goalkeeping coach, with Zidane saying their shared view of the position made the appointment an obvious one.
The move
Speaking on Friday alongside the unveiling of his first France squad as head coach, Zidane addressed the decision to bring in former Les Bleus goalkeeper Barthez.
The appointment may have caught some observers off guard, but Zidane stressed that Barthez’s experience and footballing ideas were central to the choice.
“We share the same vision of what a goalkeeper should be,” Zidane said. “Fabien has extraordinary experience and he will help the goalkeepers improve.”
Zidane and Barthez were teammates when France won the World Cup in 1998. The new France manager said that connection remains relevant within the coaching set-up, adding: “We speak the same football.”
The French season around it
For Zidane, beginning his tenure with his first squad selection, the staff appointment sets out a clear message about the type of goalkeeping work he wants around the France team. Barthez’s role will be to develop the keepers selected by Les Bleus, backed by the trust of a manager who knows him from the defining French campaign of 1998.
- Zinédine Zidane — France head coach
- Fabien Barthez — France goalkeeping coach
