Sports · Football · 4 hrs ago
Udinese sack Kosta Runjaic and appoint Paolo Zanetti as coach
Udinese have dismissed coach Kosta Runjaic after a damaging start to the Serie A season.
The Italian club lost 5-2 at home to Roma, and had managed one win and two draws in 10 league games.
Udinese are second from bottom, with 23 goals conceded, and face the risk of relegation.
Runjaic had led the team for more than two years, guiding it to 12th and 10th place in his first two Serie A seasons.
Paolo Zanetti has been appointed as his replacement after previously coaching Verona, Empoli and Venezia in Serie A. He has signed a contract through June 30, 2027, and is due to lead his first training session on Tuesday.
Zanetti’s task is to lift Udinese away from the relegation zone.
Udinese dismissed Kosta Runjaic and appointed Paolo Zanetti as head coach.
The club’s decision followed a 5-2 home defeat by Roma.
Runjaic’s dismissal was officially announced on November 2, and Zanetti signed a contract through June 30, 2027.
Zanetti has previously coached Verona, Empoli and Venezia in Serie A.
He is due to lead his first training session on Tuesday afternoon.
- Who
- Udinese dismissed Kosta Runjaic and appointed Paolo Zanetti as head coach.
- What
- The club changed its first-team coach.
- When
- Runjaic’s dismissal and Zanetti’s appointment were confirmed on November 2, 2026.
- Where
- Udinese, based in Udine, Italy.
- Why
- The decision followed poor results, including a 5-2 home defeat by Roma.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Udinese lost 5-2 at home to Roma.
ANSA reported that Runjaic was close to dismissal and Zanetti was the leading candidate.
Udinese officially dismissed Runjaic and confirmed Zanetti as his replacement.
Zanetti was due to lead his first training session.
- Final score
- Udinese 2-5 Roma
- Dismissed coach
- Kosta Runjaic
- New coach
- Paolo Zanetti
- Contract end
- June 30, 2027
- League position
- Penultimate in Serie A, according to Il Fatto Quotidiano
4 sources
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Udinese, esonerato Kosta Runjaic: il club bianconero ha già scelto Paolo Zanetti
Udinese, il destino di Runjaic è segnato. Sarà esonero: Zanetti o Petkovic per sostituirlo
Udinese: Runjaic verso l'esonero, Zanetti in pole per la panchina
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