Fabien Barthez Joins France Team as Goalkeeper Coach

Fabien Barthez has been officially named as goalkeeper coach for the France national football team, the French Football Federation (FFF) has confirmed.

The appointment forms part of the new coaching structure being assembled by Zinedine Zidane, who has recently taken over as head coach of Les Bleus.

Barthez, one of the most decorated goalkeepers of his generation, spent much of his career representing France before retiring from professional football. He is now returning to the national setup in a coaching capacity, tasked with overseeing the preparation and development of the team's goalkeepers.

The move reflects Zidane's approach to building his backroom staff, which appears to involve drawing on former France internationals with significant playing experience at the highest level. Both Zidane and Barthez were part of France's celebrated generation that achieved considerable success on the international stage.

According to the FFF, Barthez's role will focus specifically on the technical development of the goalkeepers called up to the national team, rather than broader coaching duties across the squad.

The federation has framed the appointment as part of a wider unveiling of Zidane's new staff, though full details of every position within the coaching setup have not yet been made public.

Zidane's arrival as head coach represents a significant moment for French football, and the composition of his staff is being closely watched by fans and media alike.

Barthez's return to the national team environment, albeit in a different capacity than his playing days, has been met with enthusiasm from supporters who remember his contribution to the team during his career.

The FFF is expected to provide further updates on the composition of Zidane's coaching staff in the coming period, as preparations continue ahead of the team's upcoming fixtures.