Zinedine Zidane is already beginning to shape his plans for the future of the France national team despite not yet officially taking charge.
The former Real Madrid manager has long expected to succeed Didier Deschamps following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Earlier this year, we covered that Zidane had verbally agreed a return to management.
Now, fresh details have emerged regarding the staff he wants around him.
According to L’Equipe, Zinedine Zidane is keen to reunite with a former France teammate and ex-Manchester United star as part of his new-look coaching setup.
The report claims that the French legend wants to overhaul much of the current backroom structure when he takes over from Deschamps.
Several changes are expected across the sporting department.
Zidane reportedly wants to start from a “blank page” and has already held discussions with the former United player over a possible return to the international set-up.
The individual in question is Fabien Barthez.
It is reported that Zidane would like Barthez to become France’s new goalkeeping coach.
He would replace long-serving coach Franck Raviot, who has worked with the national team for the last 16 years.
Barthez and Zidane shared some of the greatest moments in French football history together.
The pair won both the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
The former Manchester United goalkeeper made 141 appearances for the club between 2000 and 2004, winning two Premier League titles.
We previously covered how Fabien Barthez recently found himself in the spotlight for off-field reasons after reportedly being named among victims in an alleged €8 million fraud case in France.
Despite stepping away from full-time football following retirement, Barthez has remained involved in the game.
The 54-year-old previously worked as a consultant for France’s goalkeepers under Laurent Blanc and also spent time working with Toulouse as a goalkeeping consultant between 2000 and 2001.
According to L’Equipe, Barthez is enthusiastic about the prospect of joining Zidane’s staff.
The French Football Federation is said to be confident that an agreement can be finalised in the coming weeks.
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