The French Football Federation has officially confirmed the backroom staff that will support Zinedine Zidane in his role as France national team head coach.
Former France goalkeeper and 1998 World Cup champion Fabien Barthez is a notable name in the list and he will be reunited with his former international teammate.
Zidane will also be working with David Bettoni who worked as his assistant during his two spells at Real Madrid.
Marseille-based medical chief Herve Collado has been appointed the team's medical doctor in the 23-man backroom staff.
Zidane was appointed as France head coach in July following the departure of Didier Deschamps and his immediate goal is to re-establish France as a dominant force in European football in the UEFA Nations League and 2028 European Championship qualifiers.
Zidane’s 23-Man France Backroom Staff Confirmed
Zidane’s 23-man backroom staff are categorised into three groups: technical, medical and support staff.
The technical staff headed by Zidane includes David Bettoni, Hamidou Msaidi as second assistant coach, Fabien Barthez, Gregory Dupont as strategy and performance advisor, Stephane Plancque, Farid Tabet and Clement Ybert.
The French national team’s medical set-up includes Herve Collado, with Maxime Matton, Paul Olive, Nagib Remita and Pierre-Yves Froideval serving as physiotherapists alongside Philippe Boixel and Marc Retali.
The support team includes Laurent Georges as team manager, Mohamed Sanhadji for security and logistics, and Mustapha Khalef for security, Kamel Lahlouh, Bastien Geray, Guillaume Bigot, Antonio Mesa and Roberto Falvo as head chef.
According to the FFF statement on Thursday, a liaison officer will be appointed at a later date to strengthen the relationship between the coaching crew and the federation.
“The French Football Federation today officially announced the staff of the French national team, appointed by its President, Philippe Diallo, on the recommendation of the new head coach, Zinedine Zidane,” the statement read.
“The French national team staff will be completed and presented in its entirety at the beginning of September, as announced during the press conference announcing Zinedine Zidane's appointment on July 28.
“Its final composition will notably include a liaison officer, who will be appointed within the framework of the secondment agreement between the FFF and the Ministry of the Interior.”
When Will Zidane Manage His First Game as France Coach?
Zidane’s debut game as France head coach is scheduled for September 25 when the 2018 World Cup champions face Turkey away from home in the UEFA Nations League.
The Blues will then travel to Belgium three days later for another Nations League game before having a grand home debut at the Stade de France against Italy on October 2.
Coincidentally, Zidane’s last international match for France was against Italy in the 2006 FIFA World Cup final, where he was sent off in extra time.
