Parma decidedly likes to bet on the youth of coaches. Before his arrival, Cristian Chivu (44) had only three seasons at the head of the Inter U19 for the only experience with whom he won the championship in 2022. The former defender will only stay 4 months at the post, time to save the Gialloblu de la relegation. A series of 7 games without defeat will have been enough to validate this 16th place of Serie A and be recalled by his parent company: Inter. Parmesans have been even stronger this time for their sidelines by appointing a certain Carlos Cuesta, an unknown to the general public, hitherto assistant to Mikel Arteta in Arsenal.
“Parma is pleased to announce that from July 1 the technical management of the first team was entrusted to Carlos Cuesta.” Particular sign, he is only 29 years old! It was the second youngest coach in the history of Serie A behind Elio Loschi who led Triestina in 1939. It was 86 years ago. The Spaniard becomes of course the youngest coach of the season to lead a team from a European top 5 championship. Cuesta is committed for two seasons, plus one optional. This inexperience represents for a risk for Parma but in the opinion of all, it is the logical path for this in a hurry.
On the bench with Marco Asensio
Player of Santa Catalina at his home in Palma de Mallorca, he understands at the age of 18 that he will never reach his dream: to be a high -level player, like Marco Asensio, sitting next to him during a match with a selection of Balearics. “I would not have exceeded the third division” he confided to El Pais In 2019. Cuesta was 23 years old and discreetly began to make a name for himself in the technicians. At 15, he already trained a team of juniors from his club. Tactical organizations, black paintings and other training methods are his thing. But to pass the course and leave your island, you have to force fate.
The young man then has only two things for him. Social networks and her cheek. He settled in Madrid to study at the Faculty of Sciences of Physical Activity and Sport. In addition to his thirst to know, he writes articles of tactical understanding and ends up convincing Martí Perarnau, Catalan sports journalist and former athlete, specialist in tactical analysis to publish in his magazine, The Tactical Room. His publications open certain doors to him, but he always wants more. “I wanted to train at all costs.” Then begins a work of gegenpressing on Twitter (now x) of messages addressed to “All these coaches whose profiles indicated that they were at Atlético or Real Madrid.»»
“I owe a lot to Twitter, but especially to Atlético”
No one responds almost except one among the Colchoneros. “If you need someone to install the cones, I'm here.” Banco, at 19, he was hired to give chasubles to the U12. “I owe a lot to Twitter, but especially to Atlético”he says. First assistant, he was appointed the season after principal coach, then assistant to the U17. In 2018, he went to Juventus for the same position before directing the team himself and finally being appointed number 2 of the U23 bench, the anteroom of professionals, all at only 24 years old. It was in the Piedmont that he met Federico Cherubini, current director general of Parma … In his free time, he spends his personal money to travel to meet the major coaches who fascinate him. The return on investment will be fruitful.
From there, he managed to win a session at Manchester City where he chatted with Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta, then assistant to the Catalan. It is this meeting that will be decisive. “Traveling in different countries, environments, systems. Know how to adapt. I try to be a full coach. I try to learn from everyone: Guardiola, Mourinho, Emery, Klopp … but also from coaches of second division B or third division “he said to El Pais. A few months after he landed at Arsenal, Arteta offers his young disciple a unique opportunity: join his staff with a role “of individual development»With players.
Rented by the Arsenal locker room
Here he is powered by the Gunners at just 25 years old and he was adopted very quickly by the locker room. “”He helped me a lotfor example explained Xhaka granite to The Athletic. All our sessions, our interviews and our conversations allowed me to arrive where I am today.“” “I am sure that one day Carlos Cuesta will be the manager of a big, big clubextended the Swiss environment. I say that because he knows what he wants, he has clear ideas. I am sure that one day, we will see him again on the sidelines as a coach.He had seen right. His departure from Arsenal is a big loss but he does not surprise anyone. It was intended to take charge of a professional team, but perhaps not as early.
