D'Aversa returns as Parma coach after four months

Milan (AFP) – Italian Roberto D’Aversa was on Thursday reappointed coach of Serie A strugglers Parma just over four months after being replaced by Fabio Liverani.

Liverani was sacked on Thursday after Parma dropped to 18th position in the league following their fourth consecutive defeat 3-0 against Atalanta midweek.

“Parma Calcio 1913 are delighted to announce that Roberto D’Aversa is returning to the role of first-team coach,” the team said in a statement.

D’Aversa, 45, has been without a club since Parma dismissed him on August 23 after winning just four of 13 games after the coronavirus lockdown.

D’Aversa had taken over Parma with the team in Serie C, overseeing promotion to Serie B in 2017 and Serie A a year later.

US businessman Kyle Krause, who purchased the majority stake in the club last September, confirmed the decision to “part ways” with 44-year-old Liverani.

“I understand our fans’ disappointment and I am the first one to think that there is an absolute need to change course,” said Krause.

“I intend to do whatever it takes to get Parma back on track. This season has been difficult but Parma are fighters. We move onwards.”

Parma were among Italy’s top clubs in the 1990s under the ownership of dairy company Parmalat, winning three major European titles.

Parmalat collapsed in 2003 following a huge financial fraud, and the club went bankrupt and were demoted to Serie D in 2015.

Three successive promotions put them back in the top flight in 2018, and they finished 11th in the league last season.