Arsenal - Carlos Cuesta
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal assistant coach Carlos Cuesta has officially left the North London club to become the new head coach of Serie A side Parma, marking a significant step in his coaching career. The 29-year-old Spaniard, a key member of Mikel Arteta’s backroom staff since 2020, now becomes one of the youngest head coaches in Serie A history.
Cuesta’s appointment at Parma follows several weeks of negotiations, with Arsenal granting him permission to pursue his first senior managerial role. The Italian side, which finished 16th in the league last season, views Cuesta as a dynamic, forward-thinking coach capable of spearheading a long-term rebuild.
In an emotional farewell message shared on Instagram, Cuesta reflected on his five-year journey at Arsenal with gratitude and pride.
READ MORE: Benjamin Sesko agent sends exciting transfer message to Arsenal
“After five beautiful years, it’s hard to put this into words, but I can only express how grateful I am for having lived my day-to-day with such special people and felt what it means to represent this football club, with its incredible history and values. Thank you, Arsenal,” he wrote.
He also reserved special praise for Mikel Arteta, whom he credited for shaping his development as a coach.
“Thank you for your trust, for giving me the opportunity to be next to you and for showing me with constant facts what the word ‘courage’ truly means. You’ve taught me a lot, and I will carry it always with me.”
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NOW ARSENAL WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!
Born in Palma de Mallorca, Cuesta began his coaching career at just 18 with Atlético Madrid’s youth teams. He later moved to Juventus, where he worked with their Under-17 squad before joining Arsenal in August 2020. Known for his tactical intelligence, attention to detail, and strong rapport with players, Cuesta quickly earned a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young coaches.
During his time at Arsenal, Cuesta helped the team win the FA Community Shield in 2020 and 2023, while also playing a key role in the club’s rise to Premier League title contention under Arteta.
His talent did not go unnoticed by those around him. Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, now at Bayer Leverkusen, praised Cuesta in 2024, saying: “I am sure that one day Carlos Cuesta will be a manager for a big, big, big club. He knows what he wants, he has clear ideas.”
Cuesta’s move to Parma is seen as a major loss for Arsenal, where he was a highly regarded and influential figure. With the new Premier League season approaching, Arteta must now find a suitable replacement. U21s manager Mehmet Ali has emerged as a potential candidate due to his close alignment with Arteta’s philosophy.
Parma’s decision to appoint Cuesta reflects a wider trend across European football of entrusting young, analytically minded coaches with senior roles. Despite lacking a professional playing background, Cuesta’s experience at top clubs and his prior exposure to Italian football through his stint at Juventus could serve him well in his new role.
An official announcement from Parma is expected in the coming days, heralding the beginning of an exciting new era for both Carlos Cuesta and the historic Italian club.
NEXT ARTICLE: Arsenal receive summer boost after securing major deal