In a significant development for French football, Zinedine Zidane, the newly appointed head coach of the French national team, has reconnected with former teammate Fabien Barthez, who has been designated as the team's new goalkeeping coach. This announcement was made on Thursday, marking a new chapter in the collaboration between two iconic figures in the sport.
Zidane, who took over the reins of the national team last month with a contract that spans four years, is keen to build a robust coaching staff as he prepares the team for future competitions. Both Zidane and Barthez were instrumental in France's historic victories, having played together during the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro 2000, where they celebrated remarkable triumphs.
Fabien Barthez, who boasts an impressive record of 87 appearances for the French national team, last played in the 2006 World Cup final, a match that left a lasting impression on fans as Zidane was sent off in extra time following an incident with defender Marco Materazzi. At 55 years old, Barthez's illustrious career includes stints at notable clubs such as Toulouse, Marseille, Manchester United, and Monaco, showcasing his extensive experience in top-tier football.
On the same day, Zidane also announced David Bettoni as his assistant coach, further unveiling the coaching staff for the French squad. Bettoni previously worked alongside Zidane at Real Madrid, contributing to the club's remarkable achievement of winning three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018. This new coaching lineup aims to enhance the team's performance and competitiveness on the international stage.
The French national team is set to face Turkey in an away match for the UEFA Nations League on September 25, followed by a challenging encounter against Belgium three days later. With Zidane and Barthez at the helm, fans are eager to see how their combined expertise will influence the team's journey ahead.
As reported by gate.ahram.org.eg.
