Kosta Runjaic has emerged as a leading candidate to become the manager of Poland after being sacked by Italian club Udinese on Monday.
The German coach was dismissed on the evening of Monday, 2 November, following a poor start to the domestic campaign. Udinese sit in penultimate place in Serie A after winning just one of their first ten league games, drawing two and losing seven. Italian outlet Calciomercato reported that the club hierarchy decided to part company with Runjaic following a defeat against Roma.
Runjaic spent more than two years in charge in Udine, marking the fourth longest managerial tenure at the club in the 21st century. Udinese owner Gino Pozzo had been a strong supporter of the manager, but the team failed to produce the reaction expected by the club after results did not improve. Broadcaster SportMediaset reported that Italian manager Paolo Zanetti will replace him in the Udinese dugout.
Links to Poland national team
The dismissal immediately triggered heavy speculation in Italy that Runjaic will return to Polish football. Italian reports indicated that he would not be heading to the Ekstraklasa, the domestic top flight, but taking over as head coach of the Poland national team. Italian journalist Nicolo Schira reported on the development, with media outlets across the country viewing it as almost certain that Runjaic will replace Jan Urban in the role.
SportMediaset reported that while Runjaic was leaving Udinese, he already had another position lined up elsewhere. The outlet named him as the primary candidate to succeed Urban on the Poland bench. Calciomercato reported similar details, stating that Runjaic was in pole position for the Poland job and favoured the destination, describing his potential appointment as an unexpected turn of events.
Pressure on Jan Urban
The move would bring an end to Urban's time in charge of the national team if results do not pick up. Italian publication Tuttoudinese reported that Urban could lose his job if performances in Poland's upcoming matches against Romania and Sweden are disappointing.
Tuttoudinese added that Runjaic is among the contenders under consideration should a change be made to replace Urban. Runjaic is already well known in Polish football, having previously managed in the Ekstraklasa with Pogon Szczecin and Legia Warsaw before moving to Italy. Poland now face decisive upcoming matches, with Italian media watching closely to see whether the results will pave the way for his return.
