Zinedine Zidane Unveils New Coaching Staff for France

Zinedine Zidane has officially put names to his revolution with France, unveiling a backroom staff that blends World Cup nostalgia with the hard edge of modern elite coaching.

The French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed the appointments on Thursday, with president Philippe Diallo rubber-stamping a structure built entirely on Zidane’s recommendations. The full staff will be presented to the media at the start of September, exactly as outlined when Zidane was unveiled on 28 July as Didier Deschamps’ permanent successor.

Barthez back with Les Bleus

One name jumps off the page: Fabien Barthez.

The former France No.1, a symbol of the 1998 and 2000 glory years, returns to the national team set-up as goalkeeping coach under his old team-mate. Zidane and Barthez once shared the biggest stages together in blue; now they reunite on the touchline, bringing a formidable bank of international experience back into Clairefontaine.

Their partnership, once the spine of a golden generation, now anchors a new era from the bench.

Not everyone expected to be there has made it. Bernard Diomede, long tipped for a role in the new regime, is a notable absentee from the confirmed list. His omission underlines that Zidane has been ruthless as well as nostalgic in shaping his inner circle.

Trusted lieutenants from Madrid days

Around Barthez, Zidane has surrounded himself with familiar faces and long-time collaborators.

David Bettoni, his right-hand man during those trophy-laden years at Real Madrid, arrives as assistant manager. The pair know each other’s habits, rhythms, and tactical instincts inside out; their partnership was central to Madrid’s European dominance, and Zidane clearly wants that same clarity of voice with France.

Hamidou Msaidie joins the staff as another assistant, adding extra weight to the tactical department. Stephane Plancque takes on the key role of scout and tactical observer, charged with dissecting opponents and feeding Zidane the fine detail required at international level.

Gregory Dupont steps in as strategy and performance advisor, a position that underlines how seriously this regime takes physical preparation and long-term planning. Alongside him, Farid Tabet becomes assistant coach and data video analyst, with Clement Ybert appointed as assistant video analyst, giving Zidane a dedicated unit to break down matches frame by frame.

The FFF also confirmed that a liaison officer will soon be added to the structure, a role to be defined through a formal agreement with the French Ministry of the Interior. It is a sign of how wide-ranging and institutional this new set-up is intended to be.

Medical team locked in

Behind the scenes, the medical department has been carefully built out.

Dr Herve Collado will lead the medical staff, supported by osteopath Philippe Boixel and podiatrist Marc Retali. The physiotherapy unit includes Maxime Matton and Paul Olive among its key figures, forming a comprehensive support network for the squad as the international calendar tightens.

Every layer of the operation now looks in place: technical, tactical, analytical, and medical.

Zidane and his newly assembled staff will move straight from announcement to action. The next international window is approaching fast, and with it the first hard evidence of what this carefully constructed team behind the team can deliver for Les Bleus.