Paolo Zanetti was unveiled as the new Udinese Calcio head coach. Before the assembled media fielded questions to the coach Udinese general manager, Franco Collavino, and technical director, Gokhan Inler, said a few words on the appointment.
Collavino: “I’d like to welcome the new coach - we’re delighted to have him here. Before giving him the floor, I want to say a few things.
Collavino: “I’d like to welcome the new coach - we’re delighted to have him here. Before giving him the floor, I want to say a few things.
“First of all, an update on the health of president Gianpaolo Pozzo who, as you know, has been hospitalised with pneumonia. His condition is stable, but in these cases treatment needs time to have an effect. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the affection that has been shown by so many people.
“Secondly, a few words on the sacking of coach Kosta Runjaic. Not all sackings are the same, and this one was very difficult. His qualities must be highlighted - he played an important role in getting things going again after the 2023/24 season, but sport requires difficult decisions. Something that worked well for two years stopped working and a change was needed in order to break this negative cycle of results. I wish him and his staff good luck for the future.
“Next to me I have coach Paolo Zanetti, who brings solidity, experience, competence and competitive energy. We’ve asked him to turn things around. We need to close ranks, talk little and let the coach do his work.”
Zanetti: “First of all, I'm sorry to have arrived at a time when Gianpaolo Pozzo is not well, which means I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him yet. It's not an easy situation for us either, and we’d like to cheer him up with results on the pitch.
“I’ve never had a team with the potential comparable to the one this Udinese side has, and I say that with complete honesty. I started from the bottom, and while I’ve had my ups and downs, I’ve always bounced back. I’ll bring a strong mentality to the club. Udinese have a great team, but if you go out there lacking courage then you won’t get results.
“I'm not going to shake things up massively, because I respect what Runjaic did here. I’ve also been through situations where things initially work and then stop doing so. That’s football for you – yesterday doesn’t count.
“If we don’t climb the league we’ll end up in Serie B, so we’ve got to be humble, work hard and talk little. We’ve got to get this team going again, because if it does then we should have no problem achieving our goals.
“I’d like to thank the club’s management. I immediately struck up a bond with Gokhan Inler - we see football in the same way and we have the same ideas that we want to convey to the team. We’ve got a game in no time at all, and points are at stake. The players have appreciated my approach so far, and now we need a response on the pitch.”
Inler: “As a player I experienced situations like this - you’re under pressure every day. We’re going through a tough time but my mentality as well as the coach’s is to work hard and let the football do the talking. We’ve got a strong squad but we’ve got to up the ante. There’s not much time - we play again on Friday. We're not in a good league position but every game starts at 0-0. We want to show that Udinese deserves more. I welcome the coach and wish him good luck.”
Below are Zanetti's answers to journalists' questions:
Below are Zanetti's answers to journalists' questions:
Motivations
“After talking to the lads various issues became apparent to me, but there’s never been a lack of desire to win. There are times when things don't work out for you and you lose confidence, and this can be when the blame game begins. The players must get back to firing on all cylinders. I’ve said that whenever I faced Udinese in the past it was always a tough task. The club have always had organised teams who are physical, combative and good on defensive and attacking set pieces, so obviously we want to work on those areas.
“After talking to the lads various issues became apparent to me, but there’s never been a lack of desire to win. There are times when things don't work out for you and you lose confidence, and this can be when the blame game begins. The players must get back to firing on all cylinders. I’ve said that whenever I faced Udinese in the past it was always a tough task. The club have always had organised teams who are physical, combative and good on defensive and attacking set pieces, so obviously we want to work on those areas.
“However, we have to start with our mentality, because without that you don't get anywhere. Unlike other teams I've worked with the standards here are different, and this team can perhaps stay up even if its mentality is lacking, because with the players it’s got there’s no way this club should be in the drop zone. However, in football results do the talking and we deserve to be where we are in the league. It’s not just the coach’s fault, although maybe they end up paying the highest price. That’s happened to me in the past. It’s clear to me what we need to work on. I'm happy to have found players who care about the cause. They want to turn this situation around and I'm here to help them do it. Without the players I'm nothing, but with them we can do the unthinkable.”
Tactical approach
“I’ve worked with a variety of systems. Years ago I was close to coming to Udinese, but here there’s a defined system and I was coaching in a different style. I didn't want to get out of my comfort zone, I didn't feel ready and so I didn't take up the offer. Now I feel ready - I've gained experience in managing different tactical systems. I've succeeded and failed with every kind of system. This team is clearly built for a certain way of playing. I don't rule out changes in the future, but for now it's time to consolidate. This team is designed to play 3-5-2 and 3-4-2-1 and that’s how we have to approach things. I have to think about polishing this team. You’ll see some of my imprint in Friday’s game.”
“I’ve worked with a variety of systems. Years ago I was close to coming to Udinese, but here there’s a defined system and I was coaching in a different style. I didn't want to get out of my comfort zone, I didn't feel ready and so I didn't take up the offer. Now I feel ready - I've gained experience in managing different tactical systems. I've succeeded and failed with every kind of system. This team is clearly built for a certain way of playing. I don't rule out changes in the future, but for now it's time to consolidate. This team is designed to play 3-5-2 and 3-4-2-1 and that’s how we have to approach things. I have to think about polishing this team. You’ll see some of my imprint in Friday’s game.”
Individuals and contract situation
“For me, the team is the most important thing - there are no players who win games on their own. Strong players thrive if the team as a whole perform. We can't start hoping to pick up points through individual brilliance.
“For me, the team is the most important thing - there are no players who win games on their own. Strong players thrive if the team as a whole perform. We can't start hoping to pick up points through individual brilliance.
“My only mission is to take Udinese to the top. I agreed to come on an eight-month contract, bringing only three of my own staff members. I want to earn my right to be here every day. I was offered an option for an extension but I refused. I want to work in this situation because then I’m obliged to give 100% and I’ll have earned anything that follows. I also want to convey this type of reasoning to the team - if the players adopt the right mentality then they will shine.”
State of the side
“I've seen a team that’s got fire in its belly. It’s lost games and conceded many goals, and when that’s the case your confidence risks taking a battering. A coach getting the sack is a shock for players, because they feel responsible since they’re the ones playing the game. The desire to work is there and I want to see it on Friday in the game as well, which is another matter. Having looked at recent performances there are certainly areas in which we need to improve and get back to being the Udinese of old.”
“I've seen a team that’s got fire in its belly. It’s lost games and conceded many goals, and when that’s the case your confidence risks taking a battering. A coach getting the sack is a shock for players, because they feel responsible since they’re the ones playing the game. The desire to work is there and I want to see it on Friday in the game as well, which is another matter. Having looked at recent performances there are certainly areas in which we need to improve and get back to being the Udinese of old.”
The match in Venice and beyond
“It's an important game, but if we win on Friday we’re not out of the woods, and at the same time, if we lose we’re not down and out. The road is long and the growth process evolves over time. In the immediate future you can do certain things, but I have to carry on a process that’s not only about the results but also the development of the players. In my career I’ve always done well from this point of view, I’ve always given youngsters an opportunity. I thrive on winning but I’m also pleased to see players that I’ve given a chance to do well.”
The fans
“Having fans who really back you when the going gets tough is an advantage. It’s something that you can’t take for granted. I believe there’s only one way of getting the supporters on your side – by showing on the pitch that the team embodies the values that reflect the local community. Putting in a lot of effort, giving everything and finding joy in making people happy are the things that draw fans to the team. Given our position in the standings, we owe them something. We must do better, and once we do, that important bondwill naturally form. When you reach that point, things really start to take off. There’s no need for talk - you have to prove it in the football you play.”
“Having fans who really back you when the going gets tough is an advantage. It’s something that you can’t take for granted. I believe there’s only one way of getting the supporters on your side – by showing on the pitch that the team embodies the values that reflect the local community. Putting in a lot of effort, giving everything and finding joy in making people happy are the things that draw fans to the team. Given our position in the standings, we owe them something. We must do better, and once we do, that important bondwill naturally form. When you reach that point, things really start to take off. There’s no need for talk - you have to prove it in the football you play.”
The best Udinese side of the last ten years
“[Luca] Gotti says that this is the best team in the last ten years? We have to prove it on the pitch and so far it hasn't happened. I have to work to make it happen, so maybe in four months I'll have an answer on this issue.”
“[Luca] Gotti says that this is the best team in the last ten years? We have to prove it on the pitch and so far it hasn't happened. I have to work to make it happen, so maybe in four months I'll have an answer on this issue.”
Growth as a coach
“The best experiences are the negative ones. I’ve always known how to bounce back, and I know how to take blows well. I hung up my boots at a young age, and I’m still far from old now, even if I’ve been coaching for ten years at this point in time. I’ve changed in the way I deal with negative moments as well as in the relationship with the players.”
“The best experiences are the negative ones. I’ve always known how to bounce back, and I know how to take blows well. I hung up my boots at a young age, and I’m still far from old now, even if I’ve been coaching for ten years at this point in time. I’ve changed in the way I deal with negative moments as well as in the relationship with the players.”
Gino Pozzo's trust
“I was close to joining Udinese on two occasions and I didn't accept the offers for my own reasons, but Gino Pozzo once again showed faith in me, which isn’t something I take for granted. I want to thank him and I’ll do everything I can to repay this trust on the pitch.”
“I was close to joining Udinese on two occasions and I didn't accept the offers for my own reasons, but Gino Pozzo once again showed faith in me, which isn’t something I take for granted. I want to thank him and I’ll do everything I can to repay this trust on the pitch.”
The language
“Italian will be the default language here. I also speak English, but 80% of my players understand Italian. It’s fine to treat the newcomers differently - I’ll speak English with them - but the club forces their players to study Italian and for me it’s essential that they adapt to the culture of this country as I’m happy to adapt to theirs. I want Italian to be spoken in the team.”
“Italian will be the default language here. I also speak English, but 80% of my players understand Italian. It’s fine to treat the newcomers differently - I’ll speak English with them - but the club forces their players to study Italian and for me it’s essential that they adapt to the culture of this country as I’m happy to adapt to theirs. I want Italian to be spoken in the team.”