French FA chief: Zidane driven by ambition, not salary, in France talks
French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo says talks with Zinedine Zidane focused on ambition, not salary, as he prepares to succeed Didier Deschamps.
Key Takeaways
AIPhilippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, revealed that his discussions with Zinedine Zidane about coaching the French national team did not touch on salary during their meeting in February 2025.
Diallo told France Inter radio that the shared ambition among all parties was the decisive factor in reaching a swift agreement with Zidane, who will succeed Didier Deschamps as head coach through 2030.
Diallo noted that talks with Zidane focused solely on goals and aspirations, stating: "We did not discuss money. We talked about desire, about a federation that wants France to win, and about a player who dreams of leading Les Bleus."
Details on expected salary
Deschamps reportedly earned an annual salary of €3.8 million. According to RMC radio, Zidane could receive €300,000 per month, or €3.6 million annually, excluding incentives, which could raise the figure to €450,000 per month, or €5.4 million per year—a record for a France coach.
Diallo added: "I don't think that's what our fans expect. What they want is to see Zidane on the bench, to see the French team win, and to unite the nation behind the team through victories."