As the ninth matchday of the Serie A season comes to a close, one team has stood out from the rest: Udinese, with Kosta Runjaic at the helm. The 43-year-old coach has breathed new life into the Friulian club, guiding them to an impressive third-place finish, tied with Juventus.
But who is this man behind the success of Udinese? Runjaic’s name was met with skepticism at first, particularly when Juventus chose to part ways with Fabio Cannavaro after securing safety in the Serie A table. The Old Lady’s decision to bring in the relatively unknown coach was seen as a surprise move, especially given his lack of experience in the top flight of Italian football.
However, it seems that the Bianconeri did their homework, studying Runjaic’s impressive CV, which boasts a Polish Cup and Super Cup win with Legia Warsaw, as well as a stint in Germany, where he led Darmstadt from the third to the second division. His crowning achievement, though, came with Kaiserslautern, where he guided the team to the semi-finals of the German Cup, eliminating the likes of Bayer Leverkusen and Hertha Berlin.
Runjaic’s philosophy is centered around developing young players, and his success in Germany with 1860 Munich and Poland with Pogon Szczecin is a testament to his ability to nurture talent. The likes of Florian Neuhaus and Felix Uduokhai, who were both launched by Runjaic during his time at 1860 Munich, are now plying their trade in the Bundesliga with Borussia Mönchengladbach and Augsburg respectively.
In Poland, Runjaic’s impact was just as significant, with several players he showcased at Pogon Szczecin going on to sign with Serie A clubs. Sebastian Walukiewicz joined Cagliari in 2019, while Adrian Benedyczak and Marcin Listkowski followed in 2019 and 2020, respectively, with Parma and Lecce.
As Udinese continues to impress, fans of the club and observers alike are left wondering how they managed to land such a gem. Runjaic’s success is a testament to the club’s shrewd decision-making, but it’s also a reminder that, in football, it’s not just about the name, but the quality of the coaching.
For now, it seems that the Bianconeri and their fans are regretting their decision to part ways with Cannavaro, as they look up to their small-town rival, Udinese, who are currently flying high under the guidance of the inspirational Kosta Runjaic.
