Zidane Poised to Become France Head Coach

After more than a decade of waiting, Zinédine Zidane is finally set to take charge of the French national football team. According to multiple French media outlets, the former World Cup winning midfielder will be formally announced as the new head coach by the end of the month, if not sooner. His contract is expected to begin on September 1, following the conclusion of Didier Deschamps' 14-year tenure at the end of July.

The financial terms reported by RMC suggest Zidane will earn a base salary of €300,000 per month, which could rise to €450,000 with performance bonuses. That package is broadly in line with what Deschamps received and, notably, just one-third of what Zidane earned while coaching Real Madrid. The figures, however, will have to pass a new legal threshold: a sports governance law due to be adopted on Tuesday will require the sports ministry to validate such remuneration for coaches of national teams.

The announcement has been deliberately delayed out of respect for Deschamps, with the French Football Federation keen to avoid any appearance of a rushed transition. The two men were teammates at Juventus and with Les Bleus, and a smooth handover is seen as paramount. Zidane is also insisting on a significant expansion of his backroom staff, marking a clear shift from Deschamps' leaner structure.

Salary, Staff, and the New Legal Landscape

Why the Contract Passes Through the Ministry

The incoming law on the governance of professional sport introduces a layer of public oversight over coaching salaries in national teams. Although the exact criteria are not yet public, the ministry's approval will be required before the contract is finalised. This has fuelled speculation that the timing of the announcement had to align with the law's passage, but sources close to the federation believe it is unlikely to be an obstacle — more a bureaucratic step that all parties expect to clear without issue.

A Staff Overhaul Signals a New Era

Zidane's push for a wider coaching entourage is one of the concrete ways his management style will differ from Deschamps'. While the exact roles are still under discussion, the change points to a more specialised setup, possibly involving fitness, analysis or player development deputies. This mirrors the structure of elite clubs, which Zidane is accustomed to from his time at Real Madrid, and suggests a longer-term vision for integrating emerging talent into the senior side.