"Coming back here is like coming home," Alberto Gilardino told Sky Sport Italia, in comments translated from Italian. The line suits the mood around Parma, but his first public message was less about sentiment than repair. With Parma 15th in Serie A on four points from five matches, Gilardino is asking for humility, unity and a clearer identity after the club moved on from Carlos Cuesta.

Gilardino also made clear that his history with Parma only gets him so far. He said that past is a treasure of feelings, passion and belonging, but he is back in a different role now, one that starts with a young side already under pressure early in the 2026-27 season.

Parma's unity message

The strongest theme from Gilardino's opening remarks was collective responsibility. Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, in comments translated from Italian, he said: "The mantra will have to be 'all together', because it is a young team and it will have to feel the people close by. The fans must become passionate about what they see on the pitch."

That sounds like more than a standard unveiling line. Parma's early numbers explain why he went there straight away. One win, one draw and three defeats from five league matches have left them 15th, and they have scored only four league goals.

Gilardino's wording also points to a coach trying to reconnect the club to the team quickly. He told football-italia.net: "Our mantra must be unity, between the club, directors, staff, team and fans. Only by moving forward together can we get good performances and results."

It is a broad message, but the target is quite specific. Parma are young, confidence is fragile when results are this thin, and a coach walking in after a change on the bench has to calm the room before he can improve it.

He is already into the work. Gilardino said he has completed a fourth training session and is still getting to know the players, which gives some scale to the task. This is an early reset, not a fully formed project.

Gilardino's football and the club's problem

The other part of his first week matters just as much as the homecoming language. Gilardino, quoted in Italian by TuttoMercatoWeb, said: "I believe a lot in the characteristics of the players, I will have to find the best outfit for each individual player within the team. I do not believe in numbers, but in game principles that must be passed on to the players. I have the feeling of having many variables: technical qualities, physical qualities, 1 against 1... I will have to be good at sewing the best outfit. The team can also change during the match. The aim is to do something proactive to bring out the best in the players we have."

That is a sensible starting point for a side that has not shown much control yet. Parma's return of four goals in five league games leaves plenty of room for a coach who wants a more proactive team. Gilardino is not promising a fixed shape or instant cure. He is talking about principles, flexibility and getting more from the players already there.

The club's explanation for the change also deserves attention. Cherubini, quoted in Italian by TuttoMercatoWeb, said the project under Carlos Cuesta lost "total alignment" in recent days. Other reporting described the split as a disagreement over sporting vision rather than a results-only call.

Results still formed part of the backdrop, of course. Parma are 15th and the start has been poor. But the evidence available publicly points more to a break in shared direction than a simple reaction to the table. That distinction matters when judging what Gilardino has actually been asked to do.

A different role, and a fast test

Gilardino's first Sky Sport Italia quote, translated from Italian, captured both halves of the job: "Coming back here is like coming home, I thank the club for its trust: I am happy with the team I found. I like this Serie A, it is faster and there is more rhythm. We must have a strong DNA and be humble, that way we will achieve positive results."

That is probably the clearest read on his appointment. Parma wanted a familiar figure, but not as a symbolic choice. They wanted leadership, steadiness and a coach who could give the team a firmer identity very quickly.

So the homecoming angle only tells part of the story. Gilardino has returned to Parma in a different role, with a young squad, four points from five Serie A matches and a public message built around humility and togetherness. His first job is not to relive the past, it is to give this Parma side something solid enough to hold on to.

FAQ

Why did Parma replace Carlos Cuesta with Alberto Gilardino?

Parma's public explanation was not results alone. Federico Cherubini said the club and Carlos Cuesta no longer had total alignment, while other reporting described a disagreement over sporting vision. Gilardino arrives with Parma 15th in Serie A on four points from five matches, but the club's stated reason for the change was a break in shared direction.

What has Alberto Gilardino said about Parma after taking the job?

Gilardino has framed the move as a return home, while stressing that he is back in a different role. He said Parma must have a strong DNA and be humble, and he made unity his central message. He also said the squad is young and needs the fans close by.

How does Alberto Gilardino want Parma to play?

Gilardino says he will build around the characteristics of the players rather than force a rigid system. He spoke about passing on game principles, changing the team during matches and doing something proactive to bring out the best in the squad. That lines up with Parma's need for more control after scoring only four league goals in five games.

Are Parma already under pressure in Serie A this season?

Yes. Parma have four points from five league matches and sit 15th in Serie A. Their return so far is one win, one draw and three defeats, with only four goals scored. That is why Gilardino's first message has been about rebuilding unity and giving the team a clearer identity quickly.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →