On 2 February 2013, Zeman was relieved from his coaching post after a 2–4 home loss to Cagliari that left Roma in 8th position after 23 matches, and was replaced by the club's technique coach Aurelio Andreazzoli. After being sacked, player Miralem Pjanić commented that hiring Zeman had been a good decision, believing that the club's athletic all-attacking style of play the team's main strength, albeit also being one of its biggest weaknesses. Zeman initially stated that he was not bitter about being sacked by Roma and played down the rumours of his retirement, although he later revealed in an interview with Italian sports newspaper "La Gazzetta dello Sport" that he was still critical towards the team over his sacking.