April 22, (THEWILL) – Udinese have parted ways with manager Gabriele Cioffi as the Serie A club fights to avoid dropping from the top division. The 48-year-old Italian was relieved of his duties on Monday, with the team precariously positioned just outside the relegation zone.
Cioffi took over in October with Udinese third from the bottom in the standings. However, he could not engineer an upturn in fortunes, with the club losing three of their last four league matches. They sit 17th, level on 28 points with third-bottom Frosinone who occupy the final relegation spot.
In a statement, Udinese said: “Udinese Calcio announces that it has relieved Gabriele Cioffi from the position of head coach of the first team. To the coach, the (club gives) thanks for the professionalism shown and the work done during these months (and offers) to him the best wishes for the continuation of his career.”
Italian media reports suggest former Italy defender, Fabio Cannavaro, who has managed several clubs in China as well as Benevento in Serie B, is the frontrunner to take over at the Dacia Arena. Udinese’s postponed match against AS Roma, suspended after 72 minutes with the score 1-1 due to a medical emergency, will resume on April 25.
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
