Surprising Coaching Dismissal in Serie A
Italy's top flight sees its third coaching change of the current season. It affects the youngest of all 20 head coaches.
In Serie A, the third coaching dismissal of the season occurred during the international break.
After just five games, Parma Calcio parts ways with Spanish head coach Carlos Cuesta, who had led the club to survival last season. Previously, Bologna FC and Fiorentina had already parted ways with their coaches.
The change on the coaching bench at Parma comes as somewhat of a surprise because the traditional club had actually won its last league game 2-1. After five games, the club ranks 15th with four points. They also eliminated Torino FC in the Coppa Italia.
Became Head Coach at Just 29 Years Old
With Cuesta, it is the youngest of the 20 head coaches in Italy's top flight who is affected.
The former assistant coach to successful Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta became head coach at Parma in 2025 at just 29 years old and led the "Crociati" to survival last season. With 13th place, the club also achieved its best finish since the 2019/20 season.
The club justified the decision by stating that "the necessary conditions for the further development of the sporting project" were no longer met.
Former Coach Tipped as Successor
Italian media are already circulating the first names as potential successors. Alongside former Pisa coach Alberto Gilardino, a return for Roberto D'Aversa is also being discussed.
The 51-year-old was at the helm of Parma from December 2016 to August 2020 and led the club from the third division to Serie A. Most recently, the Italian was with Torino FC until the end of the 2025/26 season.
