Kosta Runjaic's adventure at the helm of Udinese now seems to have come to an end. The Friulian management, after a disappointing start to the season, has decided to put an end to his role, even if the official communication is still pending. The Bianconeri only achieved five points in the first few days, with one win and two draws, a figure that does not meet the club's expectations. The heaviest defeat, a 2-5 against Roma in this tenth round, further undermined the credibility of the German coach, who saw the team dominated from the first half, with the Giallorossi ending the first half at 0-4.
To replace Runjaic, Udinese has started an evaluation of various profiles. Among the names discussed are Vladimir Petković and Roberto D'Aversa, but the main candidate seems to be Paolo Zanetti, former coach of Hellas Verona. Zanetti is currently in pole position to lead the Friulian team in a delicate phase of the season. The company has already outlined a possible contractual formula: an agreement that covers the rest of the current season, with an option for the following year. The extension would probably be linked to achieving salvation, a priority objective for Udinese.
For Zanetti, the proposal would represent an opportunity to return to Serie A, while for Udinese a change of technical leadership could give a new boost to a season that started below expectations. The management underlined the importance of an immediate shake-up to improve their position in the standings and guarantee their continued existence in the top flight. If the final choice falls on Zanetti, the club should formalize the agreement as soon as possible, in order to give the new coach the necessary time to organize the team and face the next challenges. The next phase of the season will be crucial for Udinese, who hope to reverse the negative trend and consolidate their position in the championship.