Udinese just officially tapped Paolo Zanetti as their new head coach, hours after kicking Kosta Runjaic to the curb. Zanetti, 43, inked a deal through June 30, 2027, stepping into a club deep in the trenches, rocking just five points after ten games. This team is in serious trouble, and the clock is already ticking.
The Mess Zanetti Is Walking Into
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Udinese is in a full-blown crisis. They’re sitting on a measly five points after ten league games, trapped in an eight-match winless skid. The final straw for Runjaic was Saturday’s brutal 5-2 home defeat to Roma, a result that sent him packing. Zanetti himself hasn’t been active since Verona sacked him back in February, so he’s looking to prove a point, too, but this is no easy re-entry to the sidelines.
A Familiar Face With Immediate Stakes
This isn’t Zanetti’s first dance with high stakes in Italy. His breakout season back in 2020/21 saw him lead Venezia to Serie A promotion, something they hadn’t done in 19 years. He stuck around for one season in the top flight, then had stints at Empoli and Verona, where he guided the Gialloblù to a 14th-place finish in 2024/25. Now, he’s back with a new challenge, and it’s a huge one. His first game for Udinese? It’s Friday, an away relegation clash against bottom-of-the-table Venezia, his old club. Talk about a meaningful debut, right?
Zanetti will run his first training session with the team on Tuesday afternoon, with his official unveiling to the media set for Wednesday at 15:00. After that, it’s straight into the fire, with Friday’s game against Venezia being an absolute must-win. That match isn’t just a debut; it’s a battle for survival right out of the gate.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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