For Runjaić, distance is a matter of language

Udinese manager Kosta Runjaić continues to give post-match interviews in English after 27 months at the club, drawing criticism for not adopting Italian.

Udinese have suffered six consecutive defeats, but an underlying issue has drawn attention: manager Kosta Runjaić still conducts post-match television interviews in English rather than Italian, nearly two years into his tenure.

The article compares Runjaić's approach unfavourably to other foreign managers who have worked abroad. Carlo Ancelotti, for example, made a point of learning and speaking the local language within weeks of arriving at each new club — English in London, French in Paris, Spanish in Madrid, German in Munich, and Portuguese when appointed Brazil coach. Most foreign managers in Europe's top leagues adopt the local language as standard practice, viewing it as both a mark of respect and a practical necessity for integrating into the club environment and community.

While Udinese's current crisis is primarily a sporting one, the article argues that Runjaić's continued use of English after 27 months is unusual and raises questions about integration. The piece notes that Serie A has five foreign managers among its 20 clubs, and most have made efforts to speak Italian, with Runjaić standing out as an exception. Though learning Italian may be more challenging for a German-Croatian manager than for Romance-language speakers, the article suggests 27 months should be sufficient time to master the basics.