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Cremonese: it’s official – Nicola sacked, Giampaolo appointed as new manager

Serie A
Cremonese
D. Nicola
M. Giampaolo
Transfers

The heavy 4-1 home defeat against Fiorentina proved fatal.

Cremonese are scrambling to save themselves: they sit three points clear of Lecce, who occupy the fourth-from-bottom spot, with nine matches remaining in the season. Davide Nicola’s tenure has come to an end, and Marco Giampaolo returns to replace him and try to rescue the Grigiorossi from their crisis, having picked up just two points in the second half of the season. 

Will Cremonese manage to avoid the drop? Find out in our relegation odds. 

  • THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT

    "The final details have been finalised ahead of Giampaolo’s signing as the new manager: a one-and-a-half-year contract has been agreed," reports Sky Sport. 

    Not a short-term deal, then, but a commitment until the end of 2027, even in the event of relegation. 

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  • GIAMPAOLO'S LATEST EXPERIENCE

    Giampaolo managed to secure Lecce’s survival in the 2024/25 season, doing so in spectacular fashion with a crucial 1-0 victory away at Lazio on the final day of the season, courtesy of a goal from Coulibaly, a result that saw Di Francesco’s Venezia side relegated. That same Di Francesco now manages Lecce, and Giampaolo will be competing against him to keep his side in Serie A.

  • THE OFFICIAL STATEMENT

    U.S. Cremonese announces that Mr Davide Nicola has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the first team. 

    The Grigiorosso club would like to thank the manager and his staff for the professionalism, commitment and dedication they have shown in their daily work since their arrival in Cremona.

    U.S. Cremonese announces that it has appointed Marco Giampaolo as head coach of the first team.

    With 345 Serie A matches under his belt over a twenty-year career, the Abruzzo-born coach is one of the most experienced in the top flight, thanks to his time in charge of Cagliari, Siena, Catania, Cesena, Empoli, Sampdoria, Milan, Torino and Lecce. For him, this marks a return to the Grigiorossi following his spell in Serie C during the 2014–15 season.

    The owners and the club welcome back the new manager and wish him every success.

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  • NICOLA'S WORDS

    For his part, Davide Nicola wrote in an Instagram post: "My time at the helm of US Cremonese in Serie A comes to an end today.

    I would like to thank the club for the opportunity to manage this team during such a demanding season. It has been an intense journey, undertaken with dedication and a great sense of responsibility.

    Special thanks go to the players and to everyone who works within the club with skill and passion.

    A special thought goes to the Cremonese fans, who have supported the team with loyalty and respect throughout the season.

    I leave in the belief that together we could have achieved our goal.

    Thank you all."