Zinedine Zidane Appoints Fabien Barthez as Goalkeeper Coach for France National Team

PARIS — France coach Zinedine Zidane has appointed Fabien Barthez as the national team’s new goalkeeper coach, reuniting the two friends who played crucial roles in France’s 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship victories. This announcement was made on Thursday, following Zidane’s recent appointment as head coach on a four-year contract.

Barthez, 55, who earned 87 caps for France, last featured for the national team in the 2006 World Cup final, during which Zidane was controversially sent off. Throughout his club career, Barthez represented Toulouse, Marseille, Manchester United, and Monaco.

Additionally, Zidane has chosen David Bettoni as his assistant coach. Bettoni previously served as Zidane’s assistant at Real Madrid, where they won three consecutive Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018.

France’s upcoming fixtures include an away match against Türkiye in the Nations League on September 25, followed by a game in Belgium just three days later.

Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn