LIGUE 1
Zinedine Zidane agrees to become Marseille manager on one condition
The French coach has reportedly given the green light to Saudi investors. The club, however, categorically deny this.
For many years now, there have been rumours of a possible takeover of Marseille by Saudi Arabia. According to France Bleu, Saudi Arabia has reportedly convinced Zinedine Zidane to become Marseille manager in the event of the club’s sale to the Gulf State. Zidane would have a budget of €300 million ($318m), which would allow the Ligue 1 side to compete with Europe’s top clubs.
Real Madrid return?
France Bleu report that Marseille - along with Real Madrid and Juventus - are the three clubs that Zidane could manage if offers come in. The former Real Madrid head coach’s dream was the French national team, but Didier Deschamps renewed in January until 2026.
Marseille have just unveiled former Valencia manager Gennaro Gattuso as Marcelino García Toral’s successor and have been long linked with a takeover by Saudi Arabia.
McCourt: Marseille not for sale
Another obstacle, as reported by France Bleu, to a possible takeover of the club is that the owner, Franck McCourt, has consistently reiterated that OM “is not for sale”. The American landed in the French city seven years ago and has ignored all the noise generated by Saudi Arabia.