Runjaic replaces Cannavaro as Udinese coach

German coach Kosta Runjaic is to take over from Fabio Cannavaro at the helm of Udinese, the Serie A club announced on Friday. 

"Udinese are delighted to announce that Kosta Runjaic has been appointed coach of their first team for the coming season," the club said in a statement. 

It will be the first time that Runjaic, 53, takes charge of a team in the top flight in one of Europe's big five leagues. 

For the last two seasons he has been at Legia Warsaw, with whom he won the Polish Cup in 2023 but was sacked in April. 

Udinese, who have had three different coaches over the past season, finished 15th in the last Italian Championship. 

Cannavaro, who captained Italy to the 2006 World Cup, winning that year's Ballon d'Or as well, was only appointed in April but his contract was not extended. 

Udinese are the tenth Serie A club to have changed coach since the end of the 2023-24 season. That figure could rise to 13 by the time training resumes in a few weeks' time.