Parma agree deal with Gilardino as Italy World Cup winner set to return as coach

GENOA, ITALY - MAY 24: Alberto Gilardino, head coach of Genoa, reacts during the Serie A TIM match between Genoa CFC and Bologna FC at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on May 24, 2024 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

Alberto Gilardino is set to return to Parma as a coach, having reached an agreement with the Ducali to replace Carlos Cuesta.

Parma and Cuesta parted ways by mutual consent on Sunday, and today the former Arsenal assistant coach returned to the training centre one last time to say goodbye to the team and empty his locker.

Gilardino, an ex-Parma and Italy striker, has already agreed to take over at the Stadio Tardini and will sign his contract later today, according to Sky Sport, TMW and Tuttosport.

Gilardino scored 56 goals in 116 Parma games between 2002 and 2005, after which he joined Serie A giants Milan.

He was part of the Italy squad that won the 2006 World Cup, scoring in the second group-stage game against the USMNT.

Cuesta was in his second season at Parma and had secured a rather comfortable survival in his debut Serie A campaign in 2025-26.

Before signing his contract with Parma, Gilardino will have to terminate his deal with Pisa, with whom he remained under contract after being sacked this past February.