Zinédine Zidane considers Fabien Barthez for goalkeeping coach role with France
L'Équipe reports Zidane has opened talks to reunite with his 1998 World Cup-winning teammate as he prepares to take charge of Les Bleus
France’s next chapter in international football is starting to take shape, and it looks a lot like 1998.
According to L’Équipe, Zinédine Zidane has initiated discussions to bring former France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez into his coaching setup as goalkeeping coach for the national team. The report surfaced on June 23, 2026, with Zidane widely expected to take the reins of Les Bleus following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The two men share history that goes well beyond professional courtesy. Zidane and Barthez were teammates on the France squad that won the 1998 World Cup on home soil, a tournament that remains the defining moment in French football history.
The setup so far
Zidane’s path to the France job has been one of the worst-kept secrets in European football. An informal verbal agreement with the French Football Federation is reportedly in place, with the formal transition expected once the 2026 World Cup wraps up.
No official statements have been made by Zidane, Barthez, or the French Football Federation regarding the potential appointment.
For Barthez, this would be a return to familiar territory. He previously served as France’s goalkeeping coach from July 2010 under then-manager Laurent Blanc, a role he held through 2012. That stint gave him his first significant experience on the other side of the touchline, working with the next generation of French keepers at the international level.
Barthez retired from playing in 2007, closing out a career that included not just the 1998 World Cup but also the 2000 European Championship with France. He was awarded the Yashin Award in 1998 as the best goalkeeper in the world.
Why this pairing makes sense
Bringing Barthez in fits that pattern exactly. Beyond the shared history, Barthez has actual coaching credentials at the international level. He is not a legend being handed a role as a favor. He has done the job before, with the same federation, on the same stage.
The social media reaction to the L’Équipe report was predictably nostalgic, with their shared 1998 World Cup victory intensifying discussions online.