Udinese pursues European qualification through Pozzo family’s multi-club model

Udinese has entered its 130th anniversary season with a clear institutional objective: securing a place in European competition. After improving its league standing for three consecutive seasons, the club is now targeting a higher tier of continental football. This ambition is underpinned by a structural strategy that utilises the multi-club ownership model shared with Watford, both of which are owned by the Pozzo family.

Technical director Gokhan Inler, who recently signed a two-year contract extension, is central to this approach. Inler, a former Udinese player and Premier League winner with Leicester City, is tasked with managing the squad’s development. His role involves ensuring that young players are pushed to their limits, operating on the principle that arrival at the club is merely the beginning of a player’s journey.

The partnership with Watford provides a critical mechanism for this development. As Watford competes in the English Championship, it offers a platform for players who are not yet ready for the rigours of Serie A. This arrangement functions as a two-way street, allowing players to gain match time in England before returning to Italy when their readiness improves. James Abankwah is cited as a prime example of this model, having played numerous games for Watford before returning to Udinese in a more prepared state.

The club’s transfer strategy reflects this developmental focus, blending young talent with sell-on value against experienced players capable of immediate impact. For instance, the squad includes forward Idrissa Gueye, who fits the profile of a player with future resale potential, alongside established names such as Nicolo Zaniolo. This mix allows Udinese to balance financial sustainability with competitive performance.

Manager Kosta Runjaic has benefited from a standard pre-season, as only Jesper Karlström was absent to participate in the World Cup with Sweden. This continuity has provided a stable foundation for the new campaign. The only significant squad exit this summer was the departure of Arthur Atta to another Serie A club, a move Inler viewed positively as evidence of the club’s ability to develop talent for the next step.

With the season commencing on Saturday, 22 August, against Como at the Bluenergy Stadium, Udinese faces the challenge of translating its improved league position into a European qualification. The club’s heavy investment in facilities and its unique ownership structure position it to continue its trajectory of steady improvement, though the path to Europe remains a work in progress.