Cremona issued a statement on Wednesday confirming the dismissal of David Nicola as head coach.

The 53-year-old Nicola has managed several Italian clubs, including Lumezzane, Livorno, Bari, Crotone, Udinese, Genoa, Torino, Salernitana, Empoli, and Cagliari. He took over Cremona in July 2025, with his term originally scheduled to end on June 30, 2027.

However, Cremona's form has been consistently poor under Nicola's leadership this season. They are currently on a 15-game winless streak and sit third from bottom in Serie A with a record of 5 wins, 9 draws, and 15 losses, accumulating 24 points.

Faced with a dire relegation battle, Cremonese ultimately decided to part ways with Nicola. Nicola responded after his dismissal with a statement: "Today, my time leading Cremonese in Serie A officially comes to an end. I want to thank the club for giving me the opportunity to coach the team during a challenging season. It was a challenging journey, and I always dedicated myself to it with a high sense of responsibility and commitment."

“Special thanks to the players and all the staff who are professional and passionate. I also want to thank the Cremona fans who have supported the team with deep affection and respect throughout the season. I leave with the conviction that if we work together, we will achieve our goals.”

Along with sacking Nicola, Cremonese confirmed that Marco Giampaolo would take over as manager. The two sides signed a three-month contract, which can be extended to June 30, 2027, if the team successfully avoids relegation.

The 57-year-old Giampaolo briefly managed Cremona for half a season, ultimately leading the team to an eighth-place finish in Serie A. His return to Cremona as manager marks the first time the two have worked together in 11 years.

Besides Cremona, Giampaolo has also served as manager for Cagliari, Siena, Catania, Cesena, Brescia, Cremonese, Empoli, Sampdoria, AC Milan, Torino, and Lecce. To date, he has managed a total of 404 club matches, with a record of 126 wins, 101 draws, and 177 losses.

Image source: Internet/Cremona official website