D-day looms for Udinese coach

De Canio's reign at Udinese could soon be over

Udinese coach Luigi de Canio has been told he will be sacked if his side fail to beat Parma on Sunday.

The ultimatum comes from club supremo Giampaolo Pozzo, who is keen to arrest Udinese's slide down Serie A.

We are in freefall, we have to do something to stop this haemmorrhage

  Giampaolo Pozzo

"If we do not beat Parma we will be obliged to change coach," said Pozzo. "We are in freefall, we have to do something to stop this haemmorrhage."

Udinese made a fine start to the season, topping the Serie A standings for the first time in their 104-year history.

But they are now in the bottom half of the table, although they are not yet in relegation trouble.

Former Chelsea coach Gianluca Vialli and fellow Italian Nevio Scala, recently sacked by Turkish club Besiktas, are being touted as potential successors.