Serie A side make decision on former Arsenal coach after talks
Former Arsenal assistant coach Carlos Cuesta has left Parma by mutual consent after just over a year in charge of the Serie A club.
Cuesta departed Arsenal in June 2025 to take his first senior managerial position after spending five years as part of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s coaching staff.
The Spaniard replaced Cristian Chivu at Parma and became the youngest head coach across Europe’s five major leagues, taking charge shortly before his 30th birthday.
His first season ultimately proved successful as Parma comfortably preserved their Serie A status, finishing 13th and 14 points adrift of the European qualification places.
However, Cuesta’s second campaign produced a difficult opening despite Parma recording their first victory of the season against Genoa immediately before the September international break.
Parma have now confirmed that discussions between the two parties resulted in an agreement to end their working relationship.
“Following an internal discussion between the club and the coach, it was agreed that the parties no longer had the necessary conditions to continue their professional relationship, particularly regarding the development of the sporting project,” the club said.
Parma added that the conditions required to continue the work started under Cuesta were “no longer present”, leading both sides to agree on his departure.
Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano subsequently suggested there were differing views regarding the development of the project, including transfer strategy and Parma’s future direction.
The club’s existing technical staff will oversee training on Monday while Parma work towards appointing Cuesta’s successor.
Cuesta’s departure brings an end to his first experience as a senior head coach after establishing his reputation during an important period at Arsenal.
He arrived in north London from Juventus’ Under-17 set-up in August 2020, having previously worked within Atletico Madrid’s academy structure.
Cuesta became one of Arteta’s trusted assistants and was particularly involved in individual player development during Arsenal’s progression into Premier League title challengers.
His reputation grew sufficiently during that period for Parma to make the then 29-year-old one of the youngest managerial appointments in Serie A history.
The move also continued the growing influence of Arteta’s coaching staff elsewhere, with several figures who have worked under the Arsenal boss attracting interest for senior positions.
Cuesta subsequently demonstrated his potential by keeping Parma comfortably in the Italian top flight during his first full campaign.
His second season has now ended considerably earlier than expected, although Parma thanked Cuesta and his staff for their “hard work, commitment and dedication”.
At only 31, the former Arsenal coach will now consider his next opportunity after gaining more than a season of managerial experience in one of Europe’s leading leagues.
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