Zinedine Zidane's New Staff for France National Team

Zinedine Zidane has locked in his backroom staff for the France national team, and the names on the list say plenty about how he plans to run this new era.

The French Football Federation (FFF) made the announcement on Thursday, confirming that president Philippe Diallo had signed off on a staff built entirely on Zidane’s recommendations. The full group will be formally unveiled to the media at the start of September, in line with the timeline set out when Zidane was presented on 28 July as Didier Deschamps’ permanent successor.

Zidane and Barthez, reunited for Les Bleus

One name immediately jumps off the page: Fabien Barthez.

The World Cup‑winning goalkeeper returns to the national setup to take charge of the keepers, working directly under his former team‑mate. Zidane and Barthez were at the heart of France’s golden generation, lifting the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship in 2000. Now they come back together on the other side of the white line, carrying a combined weight of elite international experience into the dressing room.

If Barthez’s arrival feels like a powerful nod to the past, there is also a notable absence that underlines Zidane’s ruthlessness. Bernard Diomede, initially tipped to join the staff, does not appear on the official list. Expectations around his involvement had grown in recent weeks, but Zidane’s final selection has gone in a different direction.

Trusted lieutenants from Madrid days

Around Barthez, Zidane has surrounded himself with the familiar faces who helped shape his success at Real Madrid.

• David Bettoni comes in as assistant manager, the natural choice after serving as Zidane’s right-hand man during his trophy-laden spell in Spain.
• Hamidou Msaidie also joins the coaching team as an assistant, adding another layer to the tactical brain trust.
• Scouting and analysis will be anchored by Stephane Plancque, appointed as scout and tactical observer.
• Gregory Dupont steps in as lead strategy and performance advisor, a key role in managing workloads and preparing for the intensity of international football.
• The analytical department is further reinforced by assistant coach and data video analyst Farid Tabet, along with assistant video analyst Clement Ybert.

Between them, they will feed Zidane and his staff with the detailed footage and data needed to fine‑tune game plans at the highest level.

The FFF has also confirmed that the staff will soon be completed by a dedicated liaison officer, a position to be created under a formal agreement between the federation and the French Ministry of the Interior. It is a sign of how tightly structured and institutional this new regime is intended to be.

Medical unit built for a long campaign

Off the pitch, France will operate with a fully formed medical department designed to protect and prolong the players’ peak condition.

Dr Herve Collado has been appointed as head of the medical team. He will be supported by osteopath Philippe Boixel, podiatrist Marc Retali, and a group of physiotherapists including Maxime Matton and Paul Olive. The setup reflects Zidane’s experience at club level, where marginal gains in recovery and conditioning often decide seasons.

The framework is now in place. Zidane has his staff, his loyal core, his old comrades and his specialists. The talking stops here. From this point on, he and his newly assembled team move straight into preparation mode for the crucial international fixtures that will define the early chapters of his reign with Les Bleus.