All indications pointed to Zinedine Zidane succeeding Didier Deschamps as coach of the French national team after the 2026 World Cup, but things have changed, and there’s a real possibility the deal could fall through.
According to RMC Sport, appointing Zidane as France’s coach could trigger a major crisis for the French Football Federation (FFF) due to sponsorship rights.
The Real Madrid legend is an ambassador for Adidas, while the French national team wears kits from rival brand Nike, with a contract extending until 2034.
The FFF earns €100 million annually from this contract, and Zidane also reaps substantial profits from his work with Adidas.
The radio station indicates that the FFF will hold several meetings with Zidane to find a solution to the crisis; otherwise, his appointment as the new coach of Les Bleus will be in serious jeopardy.
It is said that Zidane is prepared to do whatever it takes to achieve his dream of coaching the French national team, which bodes well for finding a legally sound solution that satisfies all parties.
It is worth noting that Zidane previously announced that he would return to coaching soon, suggesting that the sponsorship dispute may not prevent him from taking charge of Les Bleus.
