Official: Udinese appoint Zanetti as head coach

VERONA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 20: Paolo Zanetti Head Coach of Hellas Verona looks on prior to the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and Juventus FC at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on September 20, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

Udinese have officially appointed Paolo Zanetti as their new head coach, hours after sacking Kosta Runjaic.

The 43-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2027, in line with the strict terms the club reportedly set for Runjaic’s successor.

“Udinese Calcio is delighted to announce that Paolo Zanetti has been appointed as the new head coach of the first team, on a contract running until 30 June 2027,” read a club statement.

Zanetti has been out of work since Verona sacked him in February. He takes over a side in serious trouble. Udinese are on five points after 10 games, eight matches without a win, and Saturday’s 5-2 home defeat to Roma cost Runjaic his job.

Zanetti’s first Udinese game against former club

His first game will be particularly meaningful: Friday’s relegation clash away to bottom side Venezia.

Udinese’s statement recalls that his “breakthrough season came in 2020/21, when he got Venezia promoted to Serie A for the first time in 19 years”. He stayed for one season in the top flight before spells at Empoli and Verona, where he led the Gialloblù to “14th place in 2024/25”.

“Now Paolo Zanetti is ready to embark on a new challenge at Udinese,” the club added. “He will take his first training session with the team on Tuesday afternoon and will be unveiled to the media on Wednesday at 15:00.”