Luca Gotti, Udinese
UDINE, ITALY - NOVEMBER 07: Luca Gotti head coach of Udinese Calcio looks on during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio v US Sassuolo at Dacia Arena on November 07, 2021 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Udinese Officially Sack Luca Gotti, Begin Coaching Search

Udinese have announced to have relieved coach Luca Gotti from his duties following the loss to Empoli. The Friuliani currently sit in 14th position, six points above the relegation zone. They have won just one game in the past 13 rounds, although they had shared the spoils on six occasions.

Gotti had taken over from Igor Tudor in November 2019. He easily avoided the drop over the past two campaigns, finishing 13th and 14th respectively. He has collected 22 wins, 15 draws, and 35 losses while helming Udinese. A long-time assistant who was part of Roberto Donadoni and Maurizio Sarri’s staffs, he had not guided a team since 2009. The management had to talk him into taking the full-time job after his initial spell as caretaker manager.

Udinese will be temporarily coached by Gotti’s right-hand man Gabriele Cioffi. The former defender previously spent time on the benches of Al-Jazira, under Erik Ten Cate, Birmingham City, next to Gianfranco Zola, and Crawley Town. He has been with the team since September 2020.

The Friuliani are mulling over a few options for their opening. They reached out to Paco Jemez, Albert Celades, Rolando Maran, Walter Zenga and Roberto Donadoni, Tuttomercatoweb reports. However, Cioffi will have a chance to retain it. Udinese will face Milan Saturday.