Udinese Calcio has officially parted ways with head coach Kosta Runjaić following a difficult start to the 2026-2027 Serie A campaign. The club announced the decision on Monday, ending the tenure of the 55-year-old German tactician who had been at the helm since August 2024. Paolo Zanetti, 43, has been appointed as his successor and has signed a contract running through June 30, 2027.
A Departure After Two Seasons
The separation brings an end to a period that the club described in a brief statement as one marked by “over two years of collaboration and the achievement of important goals.” According to reports corroborated by n-tv.de and the Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung, Runjaić’s coaching staff, including assistants Przemyslaw Malecki and Alex Trukan, will also leave the organization.
Runjaić had taken charge in Udine in the summer of 2024, succeeding 2006 World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro. During his time in Italy, he helped stabilize the squad, leading the Bianconeri to a 12th-place finish in his first season and improving to 10th the following year—the club’s highest league placement since the 2012/13 season, as noted by Transfermarkt.
Struggles in the Current Campaign
The decision to change leadership comes after a winless streak that has left Udinese in 19th place in the Serie A standings. After ten matches, the team has secured only one victory. The situation reached a breaking point following a 5-2 defeat against AS Roma this past Saturday, a match in which Udinese trailed 4-0 within the first 37 minutes.
OFICJALNIE: Kosta Runjaić odchodzi z Udinese Calcio. 🚨Władze włoskiego klubu postanowiły zakończyć współpracę z 55-latkiem, podkreślając osiągnięcie z nim na pokładzie istotnych celów. W dwóch poprzednich sezonach zespół zajął 12. oraz dziesiąte miejsce w tabeli Serie A. 👍 W… pic.twitter.com/O9z6cCzYGK
Despite the poor results, Runjaić had remained defiant in his post-match comments to DAZN, stating, “It is certainly a difficult time. It is always about trust and self-confidence.” The club’s recent acquisition of former Real Madrid defender David Alaba, who joined in late September, was intended to bolster the defensive line, though the Austrian international has been hampered by a muscle injury, limiting his availability during the team’s slide.
Zanetti Takes Over
Paolo Zanetti arrives in Udine with significant experience in the Italian professional circuit. Before taking this role, he managed Hellas Verona until February 2026 and previously held head coaching positions at Empoli, Venezia, Ascoli, and Südtirol. Sport Bild reported that Udinese set specific conditions for the new coaching staff, including a contract duration initially set through the end of the season and limits on the number of personal staff members the new manager could bring to the club.
The transition comes as Udinese prepares for a challenging stretch in the schedule. The team remains active in the Coppa Italia, with a fixture against Atalanta Bergamo already confirmed for January.
Questions Regarding the Coaching Change
Why did the club move to replace the coach now?
Udinese currently sits in 19th place in the Serie A table with only five points from ten matches. The 5-2 loss to AS Roma, where the team conceded four goals in the first half, accelerated the decision to part ways with the staff.
What are the terms for the new head coach?
Paolo Zanetti has signed a contract that runs until June 30, 2027. Reports from Sport Bild indicate that the club placed strict conditions on the appointment, including limited space for his own assistant staff.
What happens to the players who arrived to help the defense?
David Alaba, who joined Udinese in September to provide experience, has struggled with fitness. The club will rely on the existing squad to integrate under Zanetti’s new tactical setup ahead of the next round of league fixtures and the upcoming Coppa Italia match against Atalanta.
