Marc Retali removed from Zinedine Zidane’s France staff

Marc Retali has been excluded from Zinedine Zidane’s France staff after announcing his expected appointment before the French Football Federation had made it official. His removal follows a public communication that was not approved by the federation and caused tension within the new national-team setup.

Retali, a podologist, appeared in an initial staff list published by the FFF in August. However, his name was missing from the definitive list released on Tuesday, shortly before Zidane was due to announce his first France squad on Friday at 18:00. Serge Isidoro has replaced him in the group supporting Zidane.

Retali first revealed his appointment on social media and then spoke to RMC about his happiness at joining the team led by the 1998 World Cup winner. Those actions angered Hervé Collado, the new doctor of the France team. The issue was described within the staff as a failure to observe the required duty of discretion.

Isidoro has previously worked at Benfica and with Nanterre’s basketball club. His inclusion completes the staff that will support Zidane in his France mission, while Retali’s early announcement has ended his involvement before the coach’s first squad list is unveiled.