Fabien Barthez’s Toulouse spell offers clues if he becomes France’s goalkeeping coach | OneFootball

If Fabien Barthez does join France as goalkeeping coach after the World Cup, his short 2020-2021 consultancy at Toulouse shows what he could offer. According to L'Équipe, it would be at Zinédine Zidane’s request, with Zidane seen as a candidate to replace Didier Deschamps.

Toulouse, then in Ligue 2, hired him in November 2020 through to season’s end to share his expertise with keepers. He had previously advised France goalkeepers during camps under Raymond Domenech and Laurent Blanc.

Club figures recall the idea forming over lunch with Oliver Jaubert and president Damien Comolli, after long talks about a proactive, ball-playing keeper operating beyond his box. Comolli also remembers Barthez describing a 13 or 14-year-old Guillaume Restes as special.

He came one or two times a month, focusing mainly on the first team while dipping into the academy. A key task was mental support for number one Maxime Dupé, stressing confidence and the need to enjoy a fast-moving career.

Relishing the dressing room and the pitch, he appeared more often than planned and sometimes led sessions when goalkeeper coach Rudy Riou was isolating after a positive Covid test. Staff felt his input mattered in preparation and performance analysis.

His stint ended in September 2021, unofficially for financial reasons, and Toulouse missed promotion after play-offs against Nantes finished 1-2 and 1-0. Around the club, some point out he lacks CEGB1 and CEGB Pro certification, run by current France coach Franck Raviot, though recognition of experience could allow tolerance.

Source: L'Équipe