Fabien Barthez might be swapping the race track for a spot on the French bench. According to a report from L’Equipe, the eccentric former Manchester United keeper is Zinedine Zidane’s preferred choice to become France’s next goalkeeping coach once Didier Deschamps steps down after the current World Cup.
Zidane, widely expected to take over as head coach of Les Bleus, is already working behind the scenes to reshape the staff. And his first big move? Bringing back an old friend. The report says the bond between Zidane and Barthez is still strong from their playing days, and the idea of reuniting them is audacious enough to remind French fans of a golden era.
The Barthez Era at United and Beyond
Barthez joined Man United from Monaco in 2000, bringing a style that didn’t exactly fit the traditional English mold. He was unpredictable on the ball, sometimes brilliant, sometimes terrifying. Old Trafford crowds never knew whether to cheer or cover their eyes. He played 139 games for the club, won two Premier League titles, and left for Marseille in 2004 after a loan spell.
Internationally, Barthez was massive. 87 caps. A World Cup winner in 1998. Euro 2000 champion. He was on the technical staff briefly in 2010 when Laurent Blanc managed France. Then he did something weird — he went racing. Barthez competed in the Le Mans 24-hour event in 2014, 2016, and 2017. The guy clearly doesn’t do boring retirements.
What This Means for France’s Coaching Setup
The report says Franck Raviot, who has been France’s goalkeeping coach for 16 years (including work with the U21s), would be replaced. That’s a long tenure to end, but Zidane apparently wants his own people. And Barthez is reportedly enthusiastic about working with what he calls a brilliantly talented generation of players.
The French federation hasn’t confirmed anything yet. Deschamps is still in charge until the World Cup ends. But the rumor has enough weight behind it that fans are already imagining Barthez yelling at keepers from the sideline, probably in a way that’s equal parts genius and chaos.
It would be a shock return, but not a crazy one. Zidane and Barthez go way back. They won everything together. And if there’s one thing French football loves, it’s a callback to 1998.
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