Marco Giampaolo Sacked by Cremonese; His Replacement Is Official

In a statement released late Tuesday evening, just a few hours after their Coppa Italia victory over Parma, a dramatic turn of events unfolded at Cremonese: Marco Giampaolo was fired. The former coach of Milan and Sampdoria, among others, paid dearly for the team’s dismal start to the league season.

In their season opener against Empoli, the Grigiorossi were defeated 1-0 despite their opponents playing with one fewer player for over half an hour following Joseph Ceesay’s ejection; in the next match, Modena scored three goals against Bonazzoli and his teammates. The club has therefore decided to part ways with Giampaolo and start anew with Fabio Pecchia.

“U.S. Cremonese announces that it has appointed Fabio Pecchia as head coach of the first team. Born in 1973, the coach returns to the Grigiorossi bench after his tenure from the 2020–21 to the 2021–22 seasons, during which he led Cremo 60 times and secured promotion to Serie A at the end of the second season,” reads the official statement.

“Throughout his career, the coach has racked up 189 appearances in Serie B and 63 in Italy’s top flight. The club and its owners welcome back Coach Pecchia and his staff, wishing them success and the greatest satisfaction for the remainder of the season.”