Udinese: Runjaic Fired; Replacement Already Chosen

Kosta Runjaic’s tenure as Udinese’s head coach has come to an end. Sky reports that the Friuli-based club has finally decided to fire the German coach following the home loss to Roma. The Friulians suffered their seventh loss in the first ten league matches against the Giallorossi: the coach had been on thin ice for some time, and the long-awaited turnaround never materialized.

According to the satellite broadcaster, the Bianconeri’s head coaching position will most likely be handed to Paolo Zanetti, the front-runner to succeed Runjaic. Udinese is second-to-last in the standings with 5 points, and their next league match, scheduled for next Friday, will see them face Venezia—currently at the bottom of the Serie A table—in a crucial relegation battle.

The 5-2 loss suffered Saturday at the Bluenergy Stadium was a clear sign of Udinese’s crisis. In front of a frustrated crowd—which booed both during the first half and at the end of the match—Roma were already up 4-0 after 37 minutes, with goals from Cristante, Rodrigo Mora, Malen, and Ndicka. In the second half, the Friulians found the net through Zaniolo and a volley by Palma, but never gave the impression that they could truly get back into the game. In the closing minutes, Ghilardi sealed the victory for the Giallorossi.

Their recent record is grim: the Friulians have earned just one point in their last eight matches. After six consecutive losses, including a 2-0 defeat against Milan, the only bright spot had been the 0-0 draw on the road against Parma in the midweek match. Earlier this week, the club had reaffirmed its confidence in Runjaic, whose contract expires in June. Gino Pozzo’s initial stance was to avoid a mid-season coaching change, but the heavy loss to Roma has changed the situation.