France Team: Fabien Barthez joins Zidane’s coaching staff

The new head coach of the French team, Zinédine Zidane, has reunited with Fabien Barthez, appointed as the goalkeeping coach of the Blues. The two former world champions will now work together within the French staff. Appointed last month for a four-year contract, Zidane succeeded Didier Deschamps, who led the French team to the 2026 World Cup. For his debut at the helm of the Blues, the former playmaker will be able to count on a familiar face. Zidane and Barthez indeed shared the French team jersey during their generation’s two greatest successes: the world title in 1998 at home, and then the victory at Euro 2000.

A duo marked by a common history

Fabien Barthez has 87 caps with the Blues. The former goalkeeper notably played in the 2006 World Cup final against Italy, a match famously remembered for Zidane’s expulsion in extra time after he headbutted Marco Materazzi. At 55 years old, Barthez also had a rich club career. The French goalkeeper notably wore the colors of Toulouse, Olympique de Marseille, AS Monaco, and Manchester United. Nearly three decades after their world title in 1998, Zidane and Barthez are therefore reuniting in service of the French team, this time in different roles, with the ambition to lead the Blues to new successes.