Barthez wins over Maignan and establishes himself as Zidane's trusted lieutenant

Fabien Barthez made a successful start as goalkeeping coach for the France national team, establishing himself from Zinedine Zidane’s first gathering as a pillar of the new French staff. It was Bixente Lizarazu who delivered this glowing assessment after observing the former world champion goalkeeper at work.

Zidane himself got off to a flying start with the Blues, recording three victories and a draw during this first camp. The manager immediately stamped his tactical mark, building his system around possession, creativity and sustained high pressing.

But it was Barthez’s role that particularly caught Lizarazu’s attention. “I observed him a lot in his behaviour on the pitch and during warm-ups. There were many discussions with Mike Maignan, and smiles,” reported the former France left-back. “I felt him very invested in this role, and in that of Zizou’s assistant, whispering in his ear. It’s a more important role than that of goalkeeping coach, he’s really an important man for Zizou, and a trusted man. Knowing them both, they make a fine duo.”

Lizarazu goes further, suggesting that Barthez has already left a concrete mark on Maignan’s game: “Fabien is very much about people, so I think confidence is transmitted. You can see in the evolution of Maignan’s game the influence of Fabien’s reading of the game. Fabien was a goalkeeper who was a player, comfortable with his feet, and who anticipated situations a lot. The high positions are to be a sort of sweeper for the defence. I get the impression there’s been a small impact from Fabien on Maignan.”

The Zidane-Barthez duo, two 1998 world champions reunited on the same staff, therefore seems to have found its footing much faster than expected.