Leading the French team, Coach Zidane decides to call back the World Cup champion.

Zinedine Zidane, the leading candidate for the French national team head coach role, is hastily assembling his backroom staff to take over Les Bleus after the 2026 World Cup.

According to L'Équipe, during his trip to the US to watch his son Luca Zidane make his debut for Algeria, Zidane still managed to work from his hotel in New York. He has been in constant communication with advisor Alain Migliaccio as the French Football Federation (FFF) wants to announce the new coach soon after the 2026 World Cup ends.

FFF President Philippe Diallo was present to watch all of France's matches at the World Cup but has remained silent about Didier Deschamps' successor, while closely monitoring discussions regarding the coaching staff.

According to sources, Zidane wants to start from a "blank slate", marking a complete departure from the Didier Deschamps era in every department. He has also clearly defined short-term goals for his supporting staff.

If Barthez is appointed, Zidane will reunite with his former teammate who won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 with him. That would mean Franck Raviot, who has worked with the French team and previously the U21 side for 16 years, would likely have to leave his position.

Zidane and Barthez have maintained a close relationship over the years. They often meet at gatherings of the 1998 World Cup-winning generation as well as recent charity matches, including the L'Universe League event in Marseille organized by one of Zidane's nephews.

According to L'Équipe, these two legends have discussed the possibility of working together in recent weeks. Barthez, 54, is said to be very interested in joining the French national team's coaching staff. Meanwhile, negotiations with the FFF are being conducted discreetly and the parties are optimistic about finalizing all procedures.

Modern football increasingly demands that goalkeepers be good with their feet and participate more in ball distribution. This was considered one of Barthez's strengths during his playing days. The former goalkeeper has an impressive record with about 600 club matches and 87 caps for France, while also being one of the pioneers at the goalkeeper position with the ability to handle the ball with his feet.

Barthez previously served as a goalkeeping consultant for the French team under Raymond Domenech and Laurent Blanc. In the 2020-2021 period, he also acted as a specialist advisor for the first team and academy of Toulouse.

If he returns to the Clairefontaine training center in the near future, Barthez will work with the current French goalkeepers including Mike Maignan, Brice Samba, Robin Risser, Lucas Chevalier, and likely Ewen Jaouen as well. If confirmed in the coming weeks, this will be a decision that is not only professional but also highly symbolic for French football.