Paolo Zanetti has taken over as the new head coach of Udinese, signing a contract that runs through June 30, 2027, as reported by ansa.it. The 43-year-old manager steps into the role following the dismissal of Kosta Runjaic, who was relieved of his duties after a 5-2 home defeat against Roma left the Friulian club sitting in the relegation zone with just one point from their last eight matches. Born in Valdagno on December 16, 1982, the new coach arrives with a record of 136 total Serie A matches, consisting of 27 wins, 35 draws, and 74 defeats.
Stepping Into a Relegation Battle in Friuli
The appointment marks a swift return to management for Zanetti, whose previous stint at Verona ended with his dismissal in February 2026. Udinese currently finds itself sitting second from the bottom of the Serie A standings, struggling for form as the season nears its midpoint. Club executives turned to the Vicenza-born coach to inject defensive organization and tactical discipline into a squad that has leaked goals during its recent slide. Zanetti brings 136 matches of Serie A experience to the bench, compiled across prior spells with Venezia, Empoli, and Verona.
A Career Forged in Promotion and Survival
Zanetti earned his most notable coaching accolade during the 2020-21 campaign, guiding Venezia to a dramatic promotion that returned the lagoon club to Italy’s top flight after a 19-year absence. Although Venezia dismissed him in April 2022 during their subsequent Serie A campaign, he quickly found success elsewhere. He took over at Empoli for the 2022-23 season, steering the Tuscan side to safety with 43 points before being let go early the following year. In the summer of 2024, he moved to Verona, securing top-flight safety with a 37-point finish in his first year before his tenure concluded in February 2026.
Tactical Adjustments and the Immediate Debut
Training sessions at the club’s training ground will focus heavily on reshaping the defensive line and improving pressing intensity. Throughout his career, Zanetti has alternated between a four-man defensive block and a three-man central defense system, a tactical flexibility he utilized frequently during his time in Verona. With only days to prepare his new squad, the manager faces an immediate emotional and professional test.
Zanetti makes his debut on the Udinese touchline on Friday at 20.45 local time (UTC+1), leading his new team away against his former club, Venezia, at the Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo.
Early Beginnings in Professional Management
Before reaching the top division, Zanetti began his coaching career in the youth sector of Reggiana before making his professional debut managing Südtirol in 2017.
Related reading
