Why isn't Guidolin at Parma?

To say that Francesco Guidolin has achieved a lot is an understatement, and to find out that Parma hasn’t offered him a contract extension is appalling. While you would think that surviving relegation with a newly promoted club would be enough, Guidolin did much more than that. So why is he gone? And who will replace him?

While survival is the priority of a newly promoted club, teams also think about going on to be around 15th spot and maybe even mid-table. But to take a newly promoted side all the way up to 8th is a remarkable achievement. Guidolin’s Parma finished ahead of Lazio and Genoa who were in the Europa League this season, and also the Champions League side Fiorentina. To say that Parma was “fighting with the big boys” would be just about right considering that they finished right behind Juventus, just three points off of the bianconeri who splashed the cash for players like Diego, and Felipe Melo. And if you want more statistics to show Guidolin’s coaching prowess, Parma only failed to score 9 matches in the Serie A, that’s better than AC Milan, and only worse to Cagliari, Palermo, Roma, and Inter Milan. But Guidolin has provided more than just a great statistical season, he’s built a team with a true future.

Parma’s team is remarkable, full of young talent, but also filled with veterans which provide experience and solidity. Parma is filled with fantastic attacking and creative talent, which is mostly comprised of Italians like the young striker Paloschi, Lanzafame, and Galloppa. Guidolin was also able to buy experienced players like Hernan Crespo (yes, the great Crespo), Jimenez (ex-Inter Milan), and Bojinov (ex-Manchester City and Juventus), who although are experienced, have some years left. Parma also have the little French gem of Biabiany, on loan from Inter Milan and certainly a player to look out for. This team was constructed and molded by Guidolin, so what was the point of sending the coach that built the team away? It’s still a mystery.

Although Francesco Guidolin says that he has left with no bad blood, it’s truly one of the strangest things I have ever come upon in football. While media sources are saying that Guidolin will go to Udinese and Pasquale Marino to Parma, I can’t help but wonder why Guidolin wasn’t offered an extension, and why he isn’t at Parma…