After Dan Podeanu's resignation following the London 2012 Summer Olympics, he became the coach of a largely reshuffled Romanian women's épée team: Loredana Dinu, Anca Măroiu and Simona Gherman retired from sport; only captain Ana Maria Brânză remained from the twice-world champion team. Zidaru drafted Simona Pop and Maria Udrea as regular team members, with Raluca Sbîrcia and Amalia Tătăran as reserves. He led them to a silver medal in the 2013 European Fencing Championships in Zagreb and a bronze medal in the 2013 World Fencing Championships in Budapest. In August 2013 he won the Romanian veteran championship in the over 60 category.