Pasquale Marino has signed a new deal with Udinese until 2012.

The coach declared upon putting pen to paper: "Whoever has ambition is always trying to do better. I have been given extra time to work on this project and I cannot help but be proud.

"We had been talking it over with the club, but I didn't expect the contract to extend until 2012. It was a wonderful surprise for me and very satisfying, especially after just five months together."

Udinese president Giampaolo Pozzo added: "It was an important project for Udinese and we finally leave behind two years in which our management situation has been, shall we say, tormented.

"It isn't easy to find people who can share your plans over the long term. We have absolutely synchronisation in terms of work and projects, while Marino has found the ideal environment for him.

"Marino has achieved important results through an organised system of football. There is a long way to go, but we have laid solid foundations for the future of Udinese. We won't set targets, but I would one day like to see us back in the Champions League."