US Cremonese have announced the dismissal of head coach Marco Giampaolo, a surprising decision coming just hours after a Coppa Italia victory. The Serie B club confirmed the managerial change on Tuesday, September 1 with the team struggling at the start of the league season, sitting bottom of the table with zero points from two defeats.
The club's official statement said: "U.S. Cremonese comunica di aver sollevato dalla conduzione tecnica della prima squadra il signor Marco Giampaolo." Giampaolo, 59, a native of Bellinzona, had taken charge of the team the previous season.
Why the change after a win?
The decision to change manager appears even more unusual given the immediate context. Just hours before the announcement, Cremonese had beaten Parma 2-0 in the Coppa Italia round of 32. The match, played at the Stadio Ennio Tardini, saw goals from Lottici Tessadri and Licina, both scored in the first half. This result secured progression to the next round and a place in the main draw, with the next match against Como scheduled for December.
However, the league situation paints a completely different picture. The Lombardy club lost both of their opening two Serie B matches, first away to Empoli (1-0) and then at home to Modena (3-0). This negative start has left Cremonese in 20th place, with zero points, zero goals scored and four conceded. The gap from the top, occupied by Modena, is already six points. You can follow the standings evolution on our standings page.
What are the numbers behind the difficult start?
Cremonese's start to the season is characterized by a series of negative statistics that likely influenced the board's decision. From the two league matches played, the team failed to score a single goal, conceding four instead. The -4 goal difference is the worst in the league alongside two other teams. This offensive and defensive crisis prompted the club to act quickly, also in view of the next home match against Padova scheduled for Sunday.
The new coach, whose name has not yet been revealed, will immediately face the challenge of turning the team's fortunes around. The squad is the same one that achieved success in the cup, demonstrating quality, but which has struggled in the league. To analyze individual player performances, check the detailed statistics in our stats section.
What happens now?
The grey-red club now prepares for the first match of the post-Giampaolo era on Sunday against Padova, a game that takes on vital importance to reverse the negative trend. The board must quickly appoint a successor, who will have the task of making an immediate impact. The primary objective will be to recover ground in the standings and regain the confidence lost in the first two outings.
Beyond the league commitment, the team also has a prestigious appointment to prepare for. The victory against Parma secured passage to the next round of the Coppa Italia, where Como awaits. This dual commitment, between the fight for survival in Serie B and the cup run, will represent a complex challenge for the new manager. All upcoming fixtures are available on our fixtures calendar.
The next away fixture after the match with Padova will be against Hellas Verona, scheduled for December 19. The Verona side are currently in 16th place in the table.
