Zinedine Zidane’s France reign is taking shape under the autumn lights. Three days before he names his first squad for the Nations League, the French Football Federation has completed the framework around the new head coach, with a 23-person set-up expected once a security liaison officer is appointed.
Key takeaways
- Zidane will lead France into Nations League matches against Turkey, Belgium and Italy from 25 September.
- Former Red Star fitness coach Arthur Hochedé joins Grégory Dupont in the performance department.
- Fabien Barthez has been named goalkeeping coach, with David Bettoni serving as Zidane’s assistant.
- Mohamed Sanhadji takes charge of logistics and security after leaving the National Police.
- Xavier Giraudon, who knew Zidane during his Bordeaux years, becomes France’s head of press.
Zidane’s backroom team completed
The initial version of Zidane’s staff was announced on 13 August, but the group has since grown with the appointment of Hochedé as physical trainer. He worked with Ligue 2 side Red Star last season and will operate alongside Dupont, France’s strategy and performance adviser.
The medical unit will be led by Marseille doctor Hervé Collado. Philippe Jamin arrives as masseur with responsibility for player recovery, while podiatrist Serge Isidro joins after previous work with Benfica’s footballers and Nanterre’s basketball players.
Security remains one outstanding appointment. The federation is still selecting an officer to liaise with the Interior Ministry, who will work alongside Sanhadji. Now logistics and security manager, Sanhadji held a similar role until December 2025 before joining the federation after being forced into early retirement from the National Police.
Giraudon, previously a senior reporter at Canal+, has been appointed head of press. His connection with Zidane dates back to the coach’s playing spell at Bordeaux, when Giraudon was working for France Bleu Gironde.
France staff and Nations League schedule
Zidane’s first match in charge is scheduled for Turkey on 25 September. France then travel to Belgium on 28 September before hosting Italy on 2 October and welcoming Belgium for the return fixture on 5 October.
- Head coach: Zinedine Zidane
- Assistant coach: David Bettoni
- Assistant coach: Hamidou Msaidie
- Goalkeeping coach: Fabien Barthez
- Physical trainer: Arthur Hochedé
- Video and data analyst assistant coach: Farid Tabet
- Assistant video analyst: Clément Ybert
- Scout: Stéphane Plancque
- Strategy and performance adviser: Grégory Dupont
- Doctor: Hervé Collado
- Physiotherapists: Pierre-Yves Froideval, Maxime Matton, Paul Olive and Nagib Remita
- Osteopath: Philippe Boixel
- Masseur: Philippe Jamin
- Podiatrist-pedicurist: Serge Isidro
- Kit managers: Kamel Lahlouh and Bastien Geray
- Interior Ministry liaison officer: To be appointed
- Security officer: Mustapha Khalef
- Logistics and security manager: Mohamed Sanhadji
- Team manager: Laurent Georges
- Head of press: Xavier Giraudon
- Video journalists: Guillaume Bigot and Antonio Mesa
- Photographer: Boby Odieux
- Head chef: Roberto Falvo
SEO Title: Zinedine Zidane completes France staff before Nations League debut
SEO Description: Zinedine Zidane’s France backroom team has been finalised ahead of his first Nations League squad announcement and September fixtures.
