Successes as a coach
Let’s start with the most emblematic of the troupe, Zinedine Zidaneeven if his CV no longer really needs to be presented. After winning 3 consecutive Champions Leagues at the head of Real Madrid (2016, 2017, 2018), the 1998 Ballon d’Or decided to take a break (he returned between 2019 and 2021)… Certainly waiting for the post coach of the Blues is freed. But obviously, its occupant does not intend to let go anytime soon. Crowned world champion in 2018, Didier Deschamps has indeed its eyes turned towards the 2026 World Cup and its qualifications. We also know that DD will not go on vacation with some of his teammates at the time, like Christophe Dugarry, his first protester who had also revealed that the Bayonnais was not part of the Whats App group of champions of the world 98. Atmosphere…
Among the successes as a coach, we can also add the name of Laurent Blanc. 2009 French champion at the head of Bordeaux, the native of Alès then had experiences with the Blues (before giving way to Deschamps in 2012), PSG, Qatar, OL and currently in Saudi Arabia , where he was able to turn around the Al-Ittihad club with Benzema and Kanté under his orders. He still has a lot to prove, and to prove to himself. Olympic vice-champion with the Bleuets this summer, Thierry Henry made the choice to cut after an energy-consuming experience as he revealed. For now, the Gunners legend continues his consulting work for CBS in England, probably waiting for the right opportunity.
They have had more relative experiences as technicians
Many don’t know it, but other 98 world champions have also tried to venture into coaching careers, with more or less relative success. This is for example the case of Bernard Lamaappointed coach of Kenya in 2006, but who resigned from his functions only two months later due to disorder in the Federation, restricting the exercise of his functions. The former PSG goalkeeper then became general manager of the Guyana team, then vice-president of the Guyanese Football League. He also founded with other former players like Vieira and Diomède the Diambars association, which works for access to education and football in developing countries. We also saw him appear on the small screen, as in the documentary series Brothers in Arms in 2015.
His competitor at the time, Lionel Charbonniercollected exotic experiences. For example, he was coach of Tahiti in 2007, and even qualified the Tahitian U20s for a World Cup, an unprecedented performance. Had followed parentheses in Indonesia, Congo, or even Madagascar, with a position as assistant coach in 2016. His only coaching experience in France, however, was a failure, at the head of Istres in 2014. In more offbeat tones, Franck Leboeuf had led the amateur team of FC Hollywood in 2007, a team made up of stars like Jason Statham.
By his CV that many 48 year old coaches would dream of having, Patrick Vieira could perhaps have been included in the category of our successes. But the former Arsenal player still has to prove himself after shared experiences at Nice, Crystal Palace and Strasbourg. In his defense, he has still not lost a single match at the head of Genoa. For his part, Alain Boghossian served as assistant coach to Raymond Domenech at the head of the Blues, then to Laurent Blanc until 2012. Although he graduated at the top of his class when obtaining his DEPF, the ex-Parma player did not has never coached a professional team before. We have seen him as a consultant on RTL, Eurosport and W9 in recent years.
They chose the world of media
It almost became a logical continuation for the former French internationals. Today, their image and notoriety are sought after by broadcasters, who secure them prime positions as consultants. This is for example the case of Christophe Dugarrywho has multiplied his experiences as a commentator and columnist. Today, the media appearances of the former Barcelona player have become rarer, but he continues to speak occasionally on RMC. Same story for Lionel Charbonnierbut also Emmanuel Petitalmost permanent member of the show Rothen ignites. Bixente Lizarazu has commented on Les Bleus matches on TF1 since 2016 with Grégoire Margotton, and continues his appearances in Téléfoot, such as the chronicles on the Bleus for The Team. He also moved between different radio stations, and also developed a passion for making sports documentaries where he featured surfing, skiing, Brazilian martial arts and scuba diving champions. Robert Pirès has scoured the French media, and today continues his activities at Canal+.
Marcel Desailly is a consultant for beIN Sportswas an ambassador for the 2022 World Cup, but is also mired in legal cases. The former rock of the Blues says he is ruined and unable to pay child support for his (very likely) daughter, whom he has not yet recognized. Youri Djorkaeff has served as Director of the FIFA Foundation since 2019, with the ambition to lead social programs around the world. He also created his foundation in 2011, The Djorkaeff Foundation, aimed at helping young people who cannot afford to play football, and continues his TV appearances. We have seen it in particular on Cana and TF1 during major competitions, or even… MasterChef, for an episode. He had also tried an adventure in music, without success.
We see them less today
Fabien Barthez never really left the sport. Passionate about cars, the former Blues goalkeeper even took part in the 24 hours of Le Mans. He had also served as general manager of Luzenac Ariège Pyrénées, demoted to the 7th division in 2014, which will remain a “scandal” in his eyes, as he has often insisted. Vincent Candela remained a free man in Rome, his adopted land. He had tried to launch a career as an agent with his great friend Francesco Totti, before giving it up. Today, the ambassador of AS Rome has become a savvy entrepreneur, and notably owns a restaurant in the Italian capital, an events hall or even a padel complex as he revealed to Telegram. He is also a consultant for Fifa and an Italian television channel.
Lilian Thuram is a man of convictions, and he has always demonstrated this through his commitments and his public positions. The former Barcelona resident was a member of the High Council for Integration, and also created the Lilian Thuram Education Against Racism Foundation in 2008. Christian Karembeu is now strategic advisor to Olympiakos in Greece, after having worn the hat of sporting director in recent years, while Bernard Diomede continues to make his mark as coach of the French youth teams. After having supervised the U17s, U18s, and U19s, the former Auxerre player now manages the U20s. Finally, Stéphane Guivarc’h retrained as a salesman and has been selling swimming pools in his native Finistère for 18 years.
