Udinese sacks Stefano Colantuono, hires Luigi De Canio

Milan - Udinese sacked manager Stefano Colantuono Monday after fans clashed with players during a 2-1 weekend defeat to AS Roma. Luigi De Canio replaced Colantuono hours later on a contract until the end of the season.

Udinese's 15th defeat of the campaign left the club in 16th place in Serie A, four points above the drop zone.

A statement by the Serie A side said: "Udinese announces that Stefano Colantuono and his staff have been relieved of their first team coaching duties.

"We would like to thank the coach and his staff for the commitment and professionalism shown during these past months and wish him all the best for his professional career."

Udinese was being led 2-0 at its newly refurbished Friuli Stadium on Sunday when a group of hard-line fans behind the goal angrily took several Udinese players to task.

It caused a brief interruption although club officials were quick to drag the players back to the pitch.

Udinese forward Bruno Fernandes hit a late consolation for the hosts, but it was not enough to stop them from succumbing to a second consecutive defeat having ended an eight-game winless streak with victory over Hellas Verona two weeks ago.

Colantuono will leave the club with a year and two months still on his contract.

But the former Atalanta coach looked to be on borrowed time after club president Giampaolo Pozzo said recently he didn't want to replace him because "there are no better alternatives on the market".

De Canio, who has enjoyed stints at various Italian clubs, coached Udinese between 1999 and 2001. He last managed soon-to-be-relegated Sicilian side Catania during the 2013-14 season.

- With files from theScore Staff