Z‑day in France: Zidane’s appointment amid European coaching turmoil

On Tuesday, Z‑day in France will see the French Football Federation unveil Zinedine Zidane as the new head coach of the national team, replacing Didier Deschamps. The contract runs to 2030 with a base salary of €300,000 per month, potentially rising to €450,000 with bonuses.

Contrasts between the orderly French announcement and the turmoil in Italy are stark. While Italy is mired in chaos over hiring its new coach, Paolo Maldini and Leonardo resigned from the sporting management of the Italian national team only 16 days after taking the job.

The resignation followed federation president Malagò’s rejection of Andrea Pirlo, the candidate chosen by Maldini and Leonardo, citing a desire for a more experienced coach. Malagò also raised concerns about Pirlo’s partnership with Russian betting company Fonbet, creating a political and commercial confrontation for the federation.

Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte were mentioned as possible replacements, but neither convinced Maldini and Leonardo. Now Giorgio Chiellini and Claudio Ranieri have been linked to the vacant role, highlighting the ongoing uncertainty in Italian football.

In Saudi Arabia, Real Madrid legend José Mourinho, known as ‘Mou’, is expected to bring a new era to the club, according to a statement attributed to PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA of AFP. “Mou belongs to Real Madrid, he’s a Madridista. That’s what matters, he knows perfectly well what it means to win and what it means to lose at this club,” the quote reads.

Nacho added that “good things are coming with Mourinho”, suggesting optimism among fans for the upcoming season. This sentiment reflects the broader excitement surrounding the Saudi appointment.

Barça faces a dilemma over the potential signing of Bournemouth striker Junior Kropi, with board members divided on a €100 million fee for the 20‑year‑old. Some, including Flick, see him as ideal, while others deem the price too risky.

Today is Z‑day, and the article also lists today’s match schedule, featuring games such as Sevilla versus Atlético Antoniano at 10:00 and Real Madrid against Leganés at 18:00. What matches to watch today? The lineup showcases a busy football calendar across Europe.

This is just one of the stories that could shape today’s football conversation, and the announcements set the tone for Tuesday’s discussions across the continent.