Jaipur: The Jaipur-based Rajasthan United Football Club have announced the appointment of Italian football professional Giuseppe Cristaldi as the club’s head coach for the upcoming 2026-27 season.Cristaldi, 39, brings more than 15 years of experience in football, with a career spanning Italy, Scotland, Malta, Lithuania, the United States and India. He holds a UEFA Pro Licence and has also completed his Pro Diploma at the Escuela Menotti School in Argentina.Cristaldi’s coaching and football-management journey includes experience with Empoli FC Youth in Italy, where he worked in player development, as well as roles with Hibernians U-19 in Scotland, Gżira United and Sliema Wanderers in Malta, Utenis in Lithuania and Punjab FC in India. His previous positions have included youth coach, manager, assistant manager and technical director.At Punjab FC, Cristaldi was appointed technical director of the youth programme in 2024, where he was tasked with developing the club’s technical framework, standardising coaching methodologies and strengthening player-development pathways.He also holds a degree in sports management from the University of Teramo and studied sports law at LUISS University in Rome, adding a strong academic and technical foundation to his extensive football experience.Speaking on the appointment, Rajasthan United FC chairperson KK Tak said: “We are delighted to welcome Giuseppe to Rajasthan United FC. His previous experience in Indian football means he already understands the system and the football environment here, which gives us great confidence. We believe this familiarity, along with his international experience, will help us build a strong and successful 2026–27 season together.”The 2026–27 season is an important chapter for us, and we are confident that Giuseppe will bring leadership, discipline and a clear football philosophy to the team. We warmly welcome him to the Desert Warriors family.”New head coach Giuseppe Cristaldi said: “I am proud and highly motivated to begin this new challenge with Rajasthan United FC. I strongly believe that success is built through hard work, discipline, intensity, and a relentless winning mentality.We want to be aggressive, courageous, and proactive, playing high-intensity football with a strong tactical identity. Every training session, every challenge, and every match must reflect our ambition and determination to compete at the highest level.I want to build a team that never gives up, fights for every ball, and makes our supporters proud. We are here to work hard, push our limits, and build something special together.”Cristaldi’s appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for Rajasthan United FC as the club prepares for the 2026–27 season, with ambitions of strengthening its competitive identity while continuing to build a long-term football structure.With an international coaching background and extensive experience in youth development, technical management and football methodology, Cristaldi will lead the Desert Warriors into the new campaign.
