French Parliament Raises Salary Cap to Enable Zinedine Zidane as National Coach
The French National Assembly and Senate joint committee raised the salary cap for sports federation leaders from €140,000 to €450,000 annually, with a ministerial waiver option for higher amounts. This amendment to a professional sport governance law aims to facilitate Zinedine Zidane’s expected appointment as France’s national football team coach after the 2026 World Cup, succeeding Didier Deschamps. The previous cap would have blocked Zidane’s recruitment due to typical top-coach salaries. The bill requires final parliamentary approval.
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French Football Federation President: Met with Zidane in February 2025, Did Not Discuss Money, Only a Bright Future
Le Figaro reports that Zinedine Zidane has signed a contract with the French Football Federation to become the new head coach of the French national team. The contract, a highly confidential document, reportedly gives Zidane a monthly salary exceeding €450,000, higher than his predecessor Didier Deschamps. The deal was finalized before France enacted a new 'Professional Sports Governance Law' that caps sports management salaries at €450,000 annually, allowing the federation to bypass the need for a special exemption. French Football Federation President Diallo stated in an interview that negotiations with Zidane were never about money; when they met in February 2025, they discussed aspirations, long-term vision, and Zidane's dream of leading France. Zidane, who has accumulated wealth through sponsorships with Adidas, Danone, Montblanc, and Alpine, had previously rejected lucrative offers from Paris Saint-Germain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Brazil, Bayern Munich, Juventus, and both Manchester clubs, as his sole goal was to coach the French national team.
Le Figaro: Zidane's Annual Salary with French National Team is 5.4 Million Euros, Far Lower Than 12 Million at Real Madrid
According to Le Figaro, Zinedine Zidane has signed a four-year contract as head coach of the French national team, running from August 1, 2026, to July 30, 2030. While the contract terms are confidential, multiple sources estimate his annual salary plus bonuses at 5.4 million euros (450,000 euros per month), surpassing predecessor Didier Deschamps' 3.8 million euros. This sets a salary record for the French national team but is significantly lower than the 12 million euros net he earned annually at Real Madrid. Zidane's agent Alain Migliaccio was present at the signing and has been in negotiations with French Football Federation officials for weeks.
Zidane's Salary as France Coach Not Discussed, Says FFF President Diallo
Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation (FFF), stated on July 29, 2026, that he did not discuss salary with Zinedine Zidane when appointing him as the new coach of the French national team. Diallo emphasized that the conversation focused on desire and winning, not money. The article notes that French federation salaries are capped at €450,000 annually unless a ministerial derogation is granted. Zidane's predecessor, Didier Deschamps, earned €3.8 million per year. According to the report, Zidane could earn €300,000 per month (€3.6 million annually) excluding bonuses, or up to €450,000 per month (€5.4 million annually) with bonuses, which would be a record for a French national team coach. Zidane has committed to the role until 2030.
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L'Équipe: Zidane's National Team Salary Confidential, Will Not Significantly Exceed €450,000 Cap
French media L'Équipe reports that Zinedine Zidane's salary as future French national team head coach will be kept confidential and will not significantly exceed the €450,000 annual salary cap set by a new French law. The Professional Sports Management Law, passed by a joint committee of the Senate and National Assembly on July 8 and formally approved on July 20-21, caps executive and employee compensation at €450,000 pre-tax. The French Football Federation will not seek a significant exemption from the Ministry of Sports, as Zidane's contract was signed before the law took effect. Sports Minister Marina Ferrari has stated she does not want to intervene, noting the federation has substantial self-generated funds. The official announcement of Zidane's signing is expected at a press conference on Tuesday, following an executive committee meeting to confirm the choice by President Philippe Diallo.
France National Team: FFF Finds Solution for Zinedine Zidane's Salary
The French Football Federation (FFF) has signed Zinedine Zidane's contract to become the new manager of the France national team, effectively bypassing a new salary cap of €450,000 gross per year established by French law on professional sports governance. According to L'Équipe, the FFF signed the contract before the implementing decrees were published, avoiding the need for a waiver from the Ministry of Sports. This allows Zidane's compensation, which is expected to significantly exceed the cap, to remain confidential. Zidane's first strong choices as manager are already taking shape. His appointment will be officially ratified on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, following an FFF executive committee meeting, with a press conference to follow at the Federation's headquarters.
Zidane's FFF Contract Signed Before Sports Governance Law Takes Effect, Bypassing Salary Cap
The French Football Federation (FFF) has signed Zinédine Zidane as the new coach of the French national team, with a contract that exceeds the €450,000 gross annual salary cap set by the newly adopted law on the governance of professional sport. Because the contract was signed before the law was promulgated, the FFF will not need to request a derogation from the Ministry of Sports to pay Zidane above the threshold. The law, which was formally adopted by the National Assembly and Senate on July 20-21, caps executive salaries in sports federations. Sports Minister Marina Ferrari has stated she disagrees with the salary cap and believes the state should not intervene in the remuneration of private structures like the FFF, which has significant own resources. Zidane's official presentation is scheduled for Tuesday at the FFF headquarters, following confirmation by the federation's executive committee.
Zidane's FFF Contract Sidesteps New Sports Governance Salary Cap
The French Football Federation (FFF) has signed Zinédine Zidane as the new coach of the French national team with a salary exceeding €450,000 gross per year, bypassing a newly enacted sports governance law that caps such remuneration. The law, adopted on July 20-21, sets a €450,000 annual cap for federation executives, with possible waivers from the Ministry of Sports. However, because Zidane's contract was signed before the law's implementing decrees were published, the FFF will not seek a waiver, keeping his exact salary confidential. Sports Minister Marina Ferrari has publicly disagreed with the salary cap, stating it is not the state's role to intervene in private structure remuneration. The official announcement of Zidane's recruitment is set for Tuesday at the FFF headquarters, following an executive committee meeting to confirm the decision by FFF President Philippe Diallo.
Zidane's French National Team Coach Salary Not Capped at €450,000; Special Exemption Granted
French media RMC reports that Zinedine Zidane, set to succeed Didier Deschamps as French national team coach after the 2026 World Cup, will not be limited to the newly legislated salary cap of €450,000 per year. The French professional sports reform bill, overwhelmingly passed by the National Assembly and Senate, establishes salary caps for sports leagues and federations. However, Senators Laurent Lafon and Michel Savin explained on RMC's 'After Foot' program that a special exemption mechanism was added during joint committee review. Federation presidents can apply to the Sports Minister for exemptions for key positions requiring higher compensation based on market rates and responsibilities. Sports Minister Marina Ferrari will not oppose making an exception for Zidane, whose previous rejected contracts reportedly exceeded €200 million. The exemption applies to the position of national team coach, not to any specific individual.
French Senators Explain Zidane's Salary Exemption Under New Sports Reform
The French National Assembly and Senate have voted on a major reform of professional sports, including a salary cap for employees of sports leagues and federations. However, an amendment added during the joint committee passage allows for a derogation, meaning Zinédine Zidane, expected to succeed Didier Deschamps as head coach of the French national team after the 2026 World Cup, will not be limited to the standard cap of approximately €12,000 gross per month (or €450,000 per year). Senators Laurent Lafon and Michel Savin explained on RMC's After Foot that the cap was raised to ensure competent individuals can be hired for key positions. The derogation, granted by the Minister of Sports, ensures Zidane's salary can be higher, addressing concerns that the original cap would impoverish French professional sports and deter top talent.
RMC: Zidane Expected to Be Officially Announced as France Coach Next Week
According to French radio station RMC Sport, Zinedine Zidane is expected to be officially announced as the new head coach of the French national team next Thursday or Friday, following Didier Deschamps' final match in the World Cup third-place game against England. The contract is ready but not yet signed, and the appointment does not require consultation with the federation's Executive Committee. The French Football Federation aims to finalize the deal before July 21 to avoid a new bill requiring Ministry of Sports approval. Zidane's base salary is set at 300,000 euros, potentially reaching 450,000 euros with bonuses. His coaching staff may exceed 25 people, with a focus on including more female members, particularly in data analysis. The process has been kept highly confidential.
French Sports Ministry Willing to Grant Zidane Exemption from €450,000 Salary Cap
The French Ministry of Sports, led by Minister Marina Ferrari, is prepared to grant a special exemption to Zinedine Zidane and his coaching staff from a proposed €450,000 annual salary cap for employees of French sports federations. Zidane is the leading candidate to succeed Didier Deschamps as head coach of the French national team after the 2026 World Cup. Although his contract is not yet signed, the exemption would allow him to bypass the salary cap imposed by a professional sports reform bill set for a parliamentary vote. The coaching staff joining Zidane is also expected to benefit from this exemption. The bill aims to cap salaries unless an exemption is granted, and Ferrari has endorsed creating a special case for the former French star.
French National Team Coach Salary Cap Set at 450,000 Euros; Zidane Appointment May Require Special Approval
French media L'Équipe reports that a new law on the governance of professional sports, set to be formally passed on July 20-21, imposes an annual pre-tax salary cap of €450,000 for the French national team head coach. This cap aligns with compensation limits for chairmen of public industrial and commercial institutions. Zinedine Zidane, the expected successor to outgoing coach Didier Deschamps, would likely need special approval from Sports Minister Marina Ferrari to exceed this cap, as Deschamps' salary was roughly ten times higher. The French Football Federation could sign Zidane before the law takes effect to bypass oversight, but this might be seen as a power grab. Ferrari has called Zidane the 'right person' but emphasized that the minister's role is not to decide on the coach. The regulation grants the ministry power to approve or deny exemptions, raising concerns about political interference in football, which FIFA opposes.
Joint Committee Adjusts Salary Cap to Facilitate Zinedine Zidane's Appointment as France Coach
According to Foot Mercato, Didier Deschamps will leave his role as France national team coach after the 2026 World Cup, with Zinedine Zidane widely expected to replace him. A joint committee met on Wednesday to revise a recently adopted law that capped federation leader salaries at 12,000 euros gross per month, which would have made it difficult for the French Football Federation (FFF) to meet Zidane's salary demands. The committee raised the cap to 450,000 euros gross annually for federation employees, though this remains below typical top coach salaries. However, a waiver from the Minister of Sports can allow exceeding this cap. The article highlights the political and administrative steps being taken to enable Zidane's appointment, which is considered an open secret in French football.
French Parliament Amendment Raises Salary Cap for Federation Leaders, Potentially Paving Way for Zidane
A joint committee of the French Senate and National Assembly voted to raise the compensation cap for leaders of sports federations to 450,000 euros gross per year, with the possibility of exceeding that limit via a waiver from the Minister of Sports. This amendment revisits a previous provision that capped salaries at around 12,000 euros per month. The change is seen as facilitating the French Football Federation's (FFF) potential recruitment of Zinédine Zidane as the next head coach of the French national team, succeeding Didier Deschamps. MP Karl Olive had argued that the previous cap would make it impossible to hire a top coach like Zidane. The waiver mechanism allows FFF president Philippe Diallo to offer a higher salary, subject to ministerial approval.
French Sports Minister to Authorize Federation Salaries Over 450,000 Euros
An amendment to France's professional sport governance law, adopted in a joint parliamentary committee (CMP), sets a salary cap of 450,000 euros per year for directors and employees of sports federations, including the French Football Federation (FFF). Salaries exceeding this amount will require explicit authorization from the Minister of Sports. The cap was raised from an initial 140,000 euros proposed in the first reading. The text must still be approved by both chambers of parliament. The measure could affect high-profile appointments, such as Zinedine Zidane potentially becoming coach of the French national team, if his salary exceeds the threshold. The government thus gains oversight over strategic federation positions.
French Football Reform Salary Cap Could Block Zinedine Zidane from Coaching Les Bleus
The French National Assembly passed in first reading a bill on the governance of professional sport, including an amendment capping salaries for executives and employees of sports federations at approximately 12,000 euros gross monthly (140,000 euros annually). This measure could directly affect the next coach of the French national football team, Les Bleus. Zinedine Zidane is the overwhelming favorite to succeed Didier Deschamps after the 2026 World Cup. Deputy Karl Olive and an anonymous source expressed concern that the cap would make it impossible to attract top talent like Zidane, noting that FIFA's average remuneration is between 500,000 and 800,000 euros per year. The bill is not yet final and requires further readings before promulgation.