Arsenal coach set to quit for head role as Serie A club make move | OneFootball

Arsenal Lose Key Voice as Carlos Cuesta Prepares for Parma Move

Cuesta steps into spotlight as Parma opportunity beckons

Arsenal are on the verge of losing one of their brightest coaching minds, with Carlos Cuesta set to become the next head coach of Serie A side Parma. At just 29, Cuesta’s rise has been meteoric, and his departure marks a notable shift behind the scenes at London Colney. The Spaniard flew to Italy on Wednesday to finalise his appointment, replacing Cristian Chivu, who has joined Inter, according to The Guardian.

photo: IMAGO

Cuesta’s appointment would make him the second-youngest manager in Serie A history, but age has never been a barrier to his ambition. Since joining Arsenal in 2020 from Juventus, he has been at the heart of Mikel Arteta’s coaching team, focusing in particular on tactical education and individual player development.

Arteta’s words on growth now echo louder

Cuesta’s exit, while a blow, was one Arteta appeared to anticipate. Speaking last season, the Arsenal manager addressed the inevitability of staff departures:

Those comments now resonate with clarity. Arteta’s team is a reflection of his ethos, and Cuesta embodied the club’s modern, progressive coaching environment. That Parma have turned to him despite their struggles last season speaks volumes about Cuesta’s growing reputation in European football.

Departure breaks coaching continuity

Cuesta’s exit comes just two months after Arsenal confirmed he was one of five staff members to sign new contracts until 2027, alongside Albert Stuivenberg and Miguel Molina. While the club still retain a strong core of backroom leaders, Cuesta’s departure disrupts the rhythm of a coaching team that has grown in cohesion since 2020.

Photo IMAGO

The Spaniard was previously linked with Norwich and has long been seen as a manager-in-waiting. This move feels like a natural next step, but for Arsenal, it is also a reminder that development off the pitch brings its own vulnerabilities.

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Carlos Cuesta has long been seen as a future head coach, and many supporters viewed his role under Arteta as integral to the club’s tactical evolution. Losing him now, just as the team is on the brink of sustained success, feels mistimed.

There is also concern over the wider implications. Continuity has been a cornerstone of Arteta’s rebuild, and Cuesta’s influence on young players and game preparation was evident. While the club still retains excellent coaches, losing someone as sharp and trusted as Cuesta chips away at the unity built over recent seasons.

It’s also telling that Parma were so quick to act. Cuesta clearly carries weight in European coaching circles. The hope now is that Arsenal move quickly to reinforce the coaching unit and that Arteta’s long-term plan isn’t disrupted by further backroom exits.

Supporters understand ambition, and few begrudge Cuesta for pursuing his dream. But as with many recent departures, the fear is what gets lost in transition. This is more than just a staff reshuffle — it’s the departure of a key voice from the dugout, and it leaves a gap that may not be easily filled.