After five seasons on Mikel Arteta’s bench, Carlos Cuesta departed Arsenal last June to take the helm at Parma. The 30‑year‑old, who once coached youth teams at Atletico Madrid and Juventus, now leads Italy’s Serie A club. His move makes him the youngest head coach in Europe’s top five leagues in the 2025‑26 campaign.

Under Cuesta, Parma finished 13th‑placed in Serie A, a result after a turbulent start. The team played 38 matches, winning 11, drawing 9, and losing 18. They posted 44.4% possession, the second‑lowest in the league, while scoring 28 goals—yet each goal earned an average of 1.68 points, the best return in Europe’s top five leagues.

Cuesta insists on a clear vision over rigid systems, saying he prioritises the players’ characteristics first. He favours a 5‑3‑2 setup that offers defensive solidity and counter‑attack speed, aiming for a team that dominates possession yet remains relentless without the ball. His approach blends structure with freedom.

Parma’s 44.4% possession and 28‑goal tally illustrate Cuesta’s growing influence, yet the club must build on a solid base to climb higher. With a clear philosophy and a young, disciplined squad, the former Arsenal assistant now aims to restore Parma to its historic stature in Serie A.