Udinese have dismissed Kosta Runjaic following their heavy defeat to Roma, the team’s seventh loss in its last eight matches. Paolo Zanetti has been appointed as the new head coach on a contract running until the end of the season.
The club announced Runjaic’s departure, bringing an end to a spell that lasted more than two years. Udinese thanked the German coach and his assistants, Małecki and Trukan, for their work and wished them well in their future careers.
Runjaic joined Udinese in the summer of 2022 after coaching Legia Warsaw. During his time in Friuli, the team finished 12th and 10th in Serie A.
Zanetti has previously managed Venezia, Empoli and Verona in Italy’s top division. His first match in charge of Udinese will come against Venezia at the Penzo on Friday, in the early fixture of the 11th round.
Runjaic’s dismissal is the fifth coaching change in Serie A this season, following the departures of Grosso at Fiorentina, Tedesco at Bologna, Cuesta at Parma and Stroppa at Venezia.
Sources: La Repubblica.