Parma: ‘Better to fire Cuesta after a victory, Gilardino earned this chance’
MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 22: Parma Calcio coach Carlos Cuesta issues instructions to his player Sascha Britschgi during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Parma Calcio 1913 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Parma CEO Federico Cherubini explains why they fired Carlos Cuesta, giving Alberto Gilardino his debut against Inter. ‘It was better to split when things were still going relatively well.’
It kicks off at San Siro at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST).
The Ducali make their debut under new coach Gilardino, having somewhat surprisingly sacked Cuesta during the long break for international duty.
It came after a 2-1 victory over Genoa, having scraped one point from the previous four rounds.
Parma explain Cuesta dismissal
“Last season we made a courageous decision in choosing Carlos, and even through many difficulties, we always found reasons to unite and overcome them,” Cherubini told DAZN Italia.
“This term we started in a slightly different way, and reacted differently to the same difficulties, so without that same sense of unity. So we believed it was better to split up when things were at least going relatively well, having finished last season positively and in Serie A.
“We made the change after a victory as well, because it was fairer not to wait for a bad result and make the most of that situation to take this action.”
It has been another summer of intensive action on the transfer market, as Parma sell talent and try to launch new faces in Serie A.
“We are convinced that we created a more complete squad compared to previous years. We understand fans can be disappointed at losing important players every summer, but we have to think about the long-term project, combining sustainability with competitiveness. So far we have achieved that, and we hope to continue it with Gilardino.”
Gilardino has returned to the Stadio Tardini after his playing experience for Parma, where he was the centre-forward from 2002 to 2005.
“We know full well that it’s difficult to emulate the Parma of the past, as the system has changed. We cannot take Parma being in Serie A for granted, and must also always look to grow our ambitions. This is the idea behind the choices we have made.
“Gilardino is very motivated. I’ve always liked Gilardino’s humility and relaxed aura. He is not here because he was a Parma player, but because of what he earned in a coaching career starting from the amateur teams, earning promotion to Serie A, and now being here,” assured Cherubini.
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