Gilardino Returns to Parma as New Head Coach

Parma have confirmed the departure of Carlos Cuesta and lined up Alberto Gilardino as his replacement, with the former Genoa coach set to sign a contract until 30 June 2027.

Cuesta and the club ended the arrangement by mutual agreement on Sunday, with Parma saying the "conditions in order to continue this working relationship and the advancement of the sporting project" were no longer being met. The Spaniard, who joined in June 2025 after leaving his post as an Arsenal assistant, returned to the training centre one final time to say goodbye to the squad and clear his locker. He had improved Parma's league finish from 16th to 13th, but this season brought one win, one draw and three defeats from the opening five fixtures.

Gilardino arrived in Parma on Saturday and is due to sign on Sunday. The deal includes an option to extend that only the club can trigger — no automatic renewal tied to results. Before putting pen to paper, he needed Pisa to release him; the Tuscan club confirmed on Saturday that his contract, originally running to June 2027, had been terminated by mutual consent along with that of his staff. Gilardino had remained under contract there since being sacked in February.

The move returns Gilardino, 44, to the club where he scored 56 goals in 116 appearances between 2002 and 2005 before his transfer to Milan. He won the World Cup with Italy in 2006, scoring against the United States in the group stage. Arriving in the city, he kept it brief: "Felicissimo, ci vediamo presto" — delighted, see you soon, adding that a press conference would follow shortly.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Cuesta has already drawn interest from clubs in France, England and Portugal and is expected to pursue a new post before long. For Parma, the appointment closes a circle with a figure who knows the Tardini from his playing days, though it will be judged on whether he can arrest a start to the season that had begun to slide before Cuesta's exit.