French FA finalises Zidane deal ahead of new pay cap rules

French football chiefs completed Zinedine Zidane’s appointment as France head coach before a new professional sport governance law came into force, ensuring his contract is not bound by strict salary limits.

The French Football Federation (FFF) has already signed a deal with the former France captain to take charge of the men’s national team, with the agreement concluded before a law transforming the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) into a “company of clubs” was officially adopted.

A key element of the legislation is the introduction of a pay ceiling for officials and employees of sports federations. The cap has been set at a gross annual salary of €450,000, mirroring the maximum allowed for the “chairman and CEO of a public industrial and commercial establishment”.

The joint committee of the Senate and the National Assembly fixed that limit on 8 July, and the full text was then formally approved by the two chambers on 20 and 21 July.

Because Zidane’s contract was signed prior to that final approval, the FFF is not legally constrained by the new cap, even if his wage significantly exceeds it.

No need for ministry exemption

Although the law allows for exceptions to the salary ceiling via a special dispensation from the Ministry of Sport, the FFF will not need to seek such an exemption in Zidane’s case, as his agreement predates the law’s adoption.

That timing not only removes the necessity of ministerial approval, it also means the governing body can keep the precise terms of Zidane’s pay confidential.

The former Juventus and Real Madrid playmaker, a World Cup and European Championship winner with France and a multiple Champions League-winning coach with Real Madrid, is therefore free from the new financial constraints that will apply to future high-level appointments within French sport.

French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari underlined that the FFF is in a position to make its own financial decisions.

“The federation has significant private financial resources and does not rely on the Ministry of Sport,” she said.

Limited government involvement

In theory, the FFF could have sought the opinion or guidance of the ministry on Zidane’s contract. However, according to the report, the federation chose not to do so.

That approach was made easier by Ferrari’s own public stance. She has repeatedly stated that she does not wish to intervene in this specific issue of the national coach’s salary or the FFF’s internal financial arrangements.

Her position has effectively left the FFF with a free hand to negotiate the terms it wanted with Zidane, without political pressure over the level of remuneration or the optics of exceeding the new statutory ceiling.

Formal announcement due on 28 July

The FFF is expected to officially unveil Zidane as head coach on Tuesday, 28 July, at a press conference at its headquarters, according to French newspaper L’Equipe.

Before that announcement, the federation’s executive committee will meet on the morning of the same day to ratify president Philippe Diallo’s choice.

Diallo has been leading the search and has identified Zidane as his preferred candidate to guide Les Bleus into their next cycle of major tournaments.

The combination of early contract timing, the federation’s financial independence and the minister’s non-interventionist stance has allowed the FFF to secure one of France’s most iconic football figures without falling under the new salary regime – and to keep the details of his lucrative deal out of the public domain.