Serie A survival specialist Nicola named Cremonese coach

Newly-promoted Serie A side Cremonese named the experienced Davide Nicola as their coach on Wednesday.

The 52-year-old guided Cagliari to 15th position last season in Serie A and succeeds Giovanni Stroppa, whose contract was not extended despite guiding Cremonese back to the top tier.

"Cremonese have entrusted the first team to Davide Nicola whose contract runs until June 30, 2027," read a team statement.

Nicola has a habit of not staying long at the teams he has been in charge of as evidenced by year-long tenures at Genoa (2019-20), Torino (2020-21), Salernitana (2021-22) and Empoli (2023-24).

Cremonese are back in Serie A after a two year hiatus, having beaten Spezia in a promotion play-off. 

They join Sassuolo and Pisa in the top tier with Monza, Venezia and Empoli relegated.

Cremonese are one of 12 Serie A teams, including both Milan sides, Atalanta and Roma, to have changed coaches in the past few weeks.