English Premier League
Zinedine Zidane turns to former journalist contact as France backroom team takes shape
Zinedine Zidane is close to completing his France coaching staff, with journalist Xavier Giraudon set to become the national team’s new media officer as the former Real Madrid manager prepares to begin his first spell in charge of the country.
Giraudon is expected to replace Raphael Raymond, who has managed relations between the France squad and the media since 2018. The appointment is part of the final changes Zidane is making to his technical and administrative team before officially taking charge of Les Bleus.
The move was reported by Le Parisien and confirmed by RMC Sport. Giraudon, who works for Canal+ and Infosport+, is expected to begin his new role shortly.
He already has a long-standing connection with Zidane. During the 1990s, Giraudon followed Bordeaux matches while Zidane was playing for the club, giving him an early view of the midfielder who would go on to become one of the most prominent figures in world football.
Giraudon also followed Zidane during the early stages of his career, before the former France international established himself as a global star with Juventus and Real Madrid. Zidane later helped France win the 1998 World Cup on home soil.
Their previous relationship is expected to help Giraudon settle into the role, particularly as Zidane personally selected him as part of the new structure being assembled at the France training centre in Clairefontaine.
The French Football Federation revealed most of Zidane’s staff last week, but further appointments are still expected. Zidane is due to present his complete technical and administrative team at a news conference next month.
The full group is expected to contain about 25 people. Among those already linked with a role is former France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, who has been given responsibility for coaching the goalkeepers.
Barthez may not be the only member of France’s 1998 World Cup-winning squad to join Zidane’s staff. Bernard Diomede has emerged as a strong possibility in recent weeks.
Diomede is currently head coach of France Under-20s and is among the options being considered for a place on Zidane’s technical team. His potential appointment could bring together several key figures from one of the most celebrated eras in French football.
Zidane’s first competitive assignment will come away from home against Turkey on 25 September in the UEFA Nations League. France will then travel to face Belgium three days later.
His first match on French soil as national team manager will be against Italy on 2 October, when France host the Azzurri at the Stade de France.
Zidane is now working to finalise every detail of his staff before formally beginning the next chapter of his career. His return to the France dugout has generated significant expectation, with supporters looking forward to seeing one of the country’s greatest football figures lead the national team after years of anticipation.
