Today, 28 luglio, Udinese Calcio and the Pozzo family are celebrating 40 years together – an extraordinary result and one that is almost unique in the rapidly changing modern game.
Gianpaolo Pozzo took over Udinese in 1986, following on from Lamberto Mazza. It was a difficult time with the club embroiled in the ‘Totonero bis’ scandal and set to start the new season with a nine-point deduction. Pozzo wasted no time showing his love for Udinese and made some ambitious signings. It wasn't enough to avoid relegation but it did restore the fans' enthusiasm.
After a few years flitting between Serie A and Serie B, the club settled in the top flight and went on to qualify for European competitions – first the UEFA Cup, and then the Champions League. Two third-place finishes, star players, some unforgettable nights and new milestones were all achieved by innovating and changing football in Italy, particularly in the areas of scouting and the use of technology in sport. Then came the new stadium – one of the most modern and functional in Italy – which has hosted numerous international events, culminating in last year's UEFA Super Cup.
The Pozzo family – Gianpaolo, his wife Giuliana and children Gino and Magda – is the second-oldest ownership in Serie A, after the Agnelli family at Juventus. They have turned Udinese into a club that is famous throughout Europe – Serie B a distant memory from over 30 years ago – with a clear and recognisable strategy.