Fabien Barthez has criticised the way the goalkeeper’s role has evolved in modern football, saying: “Today’s role of the goalkeeper – it’s a disgrace.”
The former France goalkeeper, who became a world champion in 1998, expressed his regret at the direction taken by the position in the contemporary game. His comments focus on what he sees as a significant change in the responsibilities and status of goalkeepers compared with the role he knew during his playing career.
Barthez’s remarks come shortly after it was announced that he had joined the coaching staff of his former France team-mate Zinedine Zidane, who has taken charge of the France national team.
The appointment places Barthez alongside Zidane once again, this time as part of the staff responsible for working with France. Their previous relationship came from their time together with the national side, and Barthez is now set to contribute to Zidane’s coaching team.
His criticism is directed at the modern interpretation of goalkeeping rather than at one specific player or club. Barthez has highlighted the broader change in how the position is viewed in today’s football, describing the current role in deeply negative terms.
The goalkeeper’s position has developed considerably in the modern game, with greater emphasis placed on responsibilities beyond stopping shots. Barthez’s assessment reflects his dissatisfaction with that evolution and with the way the position is now understood.
For Barthez, the transformation represents a departure from the role associated with his own career. He remains identified with the France side that became world champions in 1998, and his comments draw attention to the contrast between that era and the present day.
The announcement of his move into coaching adds further significance to the remarks. Barthez is not speaking only as a former international goalkeeper but also as a new member of Zidane’s France staff. His view of the position will therefore form part of his return to the national-team environment.
Zidane’s appointment as France manager has brought Barthez back into the set-up as one of his coaching staff members. The two former team-mates will now work together in their new roles, with Barthez offering his experience from between the posts.
The central message from Barthez is that the modern goalkeeper’s role has changed so much that he regards the present situation with shame. His words provide an early indication of his perspective as he begins working with Zidane and the France national team.
