Zinedine Zidane's New Coaching Staff for France
Zinedine Zidane has officially locked in the team that will stand behind him as he takes charge of France, with the French Football Federation (FFF) confirming his full backroom staff on Thursday.
Approved by FFF president Philippe Diallo and built entirely on Zidane’s own proposals, the structure marks the first concrete step of his reign as permanent successor to Didier Deschamps. The federation will present the full staff to the media at the beginning of September, in line with the roadmap laid out during Zidane’s appointment on 28 July.
Barthez back with Zidane
One name instantly jumps off the page: Fabien Barthez.
The World Cup-winning goalkeeper returns to Les Bleus in a new guise, taking charge of the national team’s keepers under the authority of his former team-mate. Zidane and Barthez formed the spine of France’s golden era as players; now they reunite on the touchline, bringing back a formidable bank of international know-how to Clairefontaine.
While Barthez headlines the list, one expected figure is missing. Bernard Diomede, widely tipped to join the setup, does not appear in the officially confirmed staff. His absence stands out in an otherwise tightly constructed group.
Trusted lieutenants from Madrid days
Zidane has surrounded himself with familiar faces. David Bettoni, his long-time right-hand man at Real Madrid, steps in as assistant manager, a natural continuation of a partnership forged during that trophy-laden spell in Spain.
Hamidou Msaidie joins the coaching team as another assistant, adding extra weight to the tactical department. Stephane Plancque takes on the role of scout and tactical observer, charged with dissecting opponents and feeding the technical staff with detailed analysis.
Gregory Dupont assumes a central position as strategy and performance advisor, overseeing the physical and performance dimension of the squad. Around him, the data and video arm looks robust: Farid Tabet arrives as assistant coach and data video analyst, while Clement Ybert serves as assistant video analyst, sharpening the team’s ability to translate footage into concrete game plans.
The FFF also confirmed that a dedicated liaison officer will be added to the staff. That role will be created under a formal agreement between the federation and the French Ministry of the Interior, underlining the institutional weight behind Zidane’s project.
Medical unit locked in
Behind the scenes, France will operate with a fully formed medical department. Dr Herve Collado leads the unit, supported by osteopath Philippe Boixel and podiatrist Marc Retali. The physiotherapy team includes Maxime Matton and Paul Olive, ensuring comprehensive support for the players’ physical condition across international windows.
With his staff now officially in place, Zidane can move from planning to action. The new era for Les Bleus begins not with a grand gesture, but with a carefully chosen team ready to tackle the next wave of crucial international fixtures.
