US Cremonese have reached the last 16 of the Coppa Italia but have immediately sacked their head coach Marco Giampaolo. The grey-reds beat Serie A side Parma 2-0 away from home, earning the right to face Como in the next round scheduled for December 2, 2026.
The club officially announced the decision to relieve Giampaolo of his duties as first-team coach. "U.S. Cremonese comunica di aver sollevato dalla conduzione tecnica della prima squadra il signor Marco Giampaolo," stated the official release. The club then thanked the outgoing staff: "Il club grigiorosso desidera ringraziare l’allenatore e il suo staff per la professionalità, l’impegno e la dedizione mostrate nel lavoro quotidiano svolto sin dal loro arrivo a Cremona."
Why did Cremonese sack Giampaolo?
The move comes despite the cup success, a result that places the team among the best sixteen in the competition. This suggests the decision was made by evaluating overall performance and, crucially, the start to the league season. As of September 3, 2026, Cremonese sit bottom of Serie B with zero points from two defeats in their opening two games. Their record shows zero goals scored and four conceded, with a -4 goal difference. The team is already six points behind the leaders, Modena.
The victory against Parma, therefore, was not enough to offset a league start deemed unsatisfactory. The Coppa Italia match took place before December 2, the date set for the round of 16. The other matches in this round are scheduled for December 16, 2026, and January 13, 2027. To keep track of all the club's future commitments, fans can check our fixtures page.
What are the next challenges for the team?
The team now faces a delicate period, with the search for a new manager and the need to climb the table. Their next league fixture is set for December 19, 2026, with an away match against Hellas Verona, currently 16th in the standings. It will be an important game to try and reverse the negative trend and secure their first points.
The new coach will need to work quickly to impose their style on the team and solve the scoring problems highlighted by the zero goals in two league games. The squad at their disposal can be viewed in our squad section. The Coppa Italia run represents an opportunity for redemption and prestige, but the absolute priority remains securing Serie B survival.
What does this mean for Cremonese's season?
The twin news of progressing in the cup and changing manager marks a turning point in the 2026-2027 season. The club has shown it can compete with and beat a Serie A side, a positive foundation to build on. However, the gap in the league table and the need for an immediate change of pace in the championship present a complex challenge.
Giampaolo's dismissal comes after a period of work the club itself described as committed and dedicated. The choice indicates a desire to change direction in search of different results. The league situation, with Cremonese stuck on zero points in 20th place, was the heaviest factor in the club's decision. To monitor the evolution of the Serie B table, our standings page is available.
The match against Como in the Coppa Italia last 16 will be played on December 2, 2026, offering the team, under new leadership, the chance to continue their adventure in the tournament.
