Parma’s season has taken an abrupt turn despite the lift provided by the 2-1 win over Genoa at the Tardini. Carlos Cuesta has left his post after a little more than a year and a half in charge, with the club confirming that the relationship ended by mutual agreement after an internal meeting. The decision, communicated at 16:50 yesterday, came as a surprise in a city that had expected the victory over Genoa to strengthen his position.
A separation shaped by internal differences
The club said that the conditions to continue their professional relationship were no longer in place. Behind that formal wording were significant disagreements between Cuesta and the Parma hierarchy over tactical and organisational matters.
Meetings between the coach and directors had already taken place in the middle of last week, and the differing views proved decisive. Parma had made preliminary contact with other coaches, including Alberto Gilardino, before the Genoa match, although those conversations had initially appeared to be routine contingency planning.
- Cuesta leaves Parma in 13th place in Serie A.
- The decision followed Parma’s 2-1 home victory against Genoa.
- Genoa coach Daniele De Rossi, beaten in that match, remained in his job.
- Parma’s players were given three days off and learned of their coach’s departure through social media.
The timing has created particular disbelief around the squad. Delprato and his teammates had delivered a committed performance against Genoa, while Cuesta had largely kept the group insulated from outside speculation during a difficult period.
Cuesta’s Parma chapter closes
Cuesta departs having secured survival last season with five rounds still to play. He achieved that result as the youngest coach in Serie A history, and had developed a close attachment to the club during his spell in Emilia.
In a message published on Instagram, Cuesta said he had given everything to Parma until his final day. He added that, although there was no longer a basis to continue the project, he would retain the value of an experience that had been deeply important to him.
The change has quickly become the central football conversation in Parma, including around the Cittadella, a place strongly associated with the club’s past and the years of Nevio Scala. What had looked like a hard-earned Sunday win has instead opened another uncertain phase in the season.
Gilardino leads the early shortlist
Alberto Gilardino is the leading candidate to take over. The former striker remains closely connected with Parma after his playing spell between 2002 and 2005, when he made 96 appearances and scored 50 goals. He is understood to be ready to return to a club where he left a lasting mark as a player.
Other possibilities remain in the background, while an internal solution has also been considered.
- Alberto Gilardino is the foremost option for the vacant role.
- Paolo Zanetti is a more distant candidate.
- Roberto D’Aversa is also further down the list.
- Nicola Corrent, currently in charge of the Primavera side, represents a potential internal appointment.
Training continues under the existing staff
Until a decision is made on the new coach, Parma will continue work with members of Cuesta’s staff. Goalkeeping coach Pavarini, fitness coach Persichetti and rehabilitation coach Morabito are due to lead the next training session.
For Parma, the next appointment will be about more than filling an empty bench. The board must decide whether the Genoa performance was a platform worth protecting, or whether the tactical and organisational disputes that ended Cuesta’s tenure require a different direction for the remainder of the championship.
