The Zidane era with France begins under the lights on Friday, when Les Bleus face Turkey in the Nations League at 20:45.
Zinédine Zidane will take charge of the national side for the first time, but the new France coach will not be working alone on the touchline. A familiar group of trusted staff members will form the backroom team around him as France open this new chapter.
A staff built around close allies
David Bettoni has joined Zidane as his assistant, continuing a working relationship that has previously been central to Zidane’s coaching career.
Fabien Barthez is also part of the France set-up, taking responsibility for the goalkeepers. The former France international will oversee preparations for the squad’s keepers as Zidane’s team begin their Nations League campaign.
Turkey provide the first test
France’s meeting with Turkey will be the first match of Zidane’s tenure as head coach. The 20:45 kick-off offers an immediate competitive examination for a new coaching staff attempting to establish its methods with the national team.
For Zidane, Friday night is not simply a debut. It is the first occasion on which his chosen staff, from Bettoni in the assistant’s role to Barthez with the goalkeepers, will operate together in the France technical area.
