Zidane’s staff confirmed as feminisation debate erupts with Denis
While the French Football Federation officially confirmed Zinédine Zidane’s coaching staff for the France national team on Thursday, today veteran journalist Estelle Denis sparked a public dispute over the staff’s lack of female representation and her portrayal in the media.
Staff officialisation and feminisation criticism
The Fédération Française de Football announced on Thursday that Zinédine Zidane will lead the France national team staff. The announcement noted that certain sectors were meant to be feminised, but this did not materialise, prompting the comment « Pour la féminisation du staff, on repassera… ».
Estelle Denis responded on her X account on Friday, writing « Hey Le Figaro, you are serious? We are in 2026, I am not ‘the ex‑companion of’, I have been a journalist for 30 years, including 15 in sport ». The Figaro’s Internet site had introduced her in the article’s lead as “the ex‑companion of Raymond Domenech”, which she denounced.
Denis was indeed the partner of Raymond Domenech for several years, with two children – Victoire born in 2004 and Merlin in 2007 – before their separation in 2020. The 49‑year‑old Parisian now shares her life with sailor Marc Thiercelin.