Udinese have appointed Paolo Zanetti as their new head coach, just hours after dismissing Kosta Runjaic following a poor start to the season.
The 43-year-old Italian has agreed a contract running until 30 June 2027, matching the reported terms Udinese had set for the manager who would succeed Runjaic.
“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,” the club said in a statement.
Zanetti has been without a club since being sacked by Verona in February. He inherits an Udinese side with five points from their opening 10 games and an eight-match winless run.
Runjaic’s dismissal followed Saturday’s 5-2 home defeat by Roma, with Zanetti’s first match set to come in a significant relegation fixture away to bottom side Venezia on Friday.
It will be a return to familiar surroundings for Zanetti, whose breakthrough came during the 2020/21 season when he guided Venezia to Serie A promotion for the first time in 19 years.
He remained in charge for one season in the top flight before later managing Empoli and Verona. Udinese highlighted his work with Verona, where he led the Gialloblu to “14th place in 2024/25”.
“Now Paolo Zanetti is ready to embark on a new challenge at Udinese,” the club added.
Zanetti will oversee his first training session with the squad on Tuesday afternoon and will be presented to the media on Wednesday at 15:00.
