On 28 July 1986 Gianpaolo Pozzo took control of Udinese, picking up the baton from Lamberto Mazza. The takeover came at a difficult time for the club, which would start the 1986/87 season with a nine-point penalty due to the second Totonero scandal. Pozzo wasted no time demonstrating his love for Udinese as he made some ambitious signings which raised enthusiasm among the fans, although the team was ultimately unable to avoid relegation.
After a few years moving between Serie A and Serie B, the club would establish itself as a permanent member of the top flight. Udinese went on to qualify for the UEFA Cup and the Champions League, securing two third-place finishes. Over the years the Udine faithful have witnessed a string of stars and many unforgettable nights, while the club has continued to innovate and change the way football is done in Italy – most notably though its scouting system and use of technology in sport.
A new club-owned stadium was built and is one of the most modern and functional facilities in Italy. Bluenergy Stadium is now set to host the UEFA Super Cup between Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain on 13 August 2025 in what will be a historic event for Udine and Friuli Venezia Giulia.
The Pozzo family – Gianpaolo together with his wife Giuliana and children Gino and Magda – is one of the longest-running ownerships in Italy. They have turned Udinese into a club that is renowned across Europe and made Serie B a distant memory through their sound, recognisable working methods.