[dukeofdavinci]

Mimmo faces Parma push Monday 4 February, 2008

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There is growing speculation in the peninsula that Parma will dismiss struggling Coach Domenico Di Carlo.

The Emilia-Romagna outfit fell to a 3-2 home defeat against Atalanta yesterday – their first reverse against the Orobici at the Stadio Tardini in 34 years.

With Siena recording a heroic win over Roma, the Ducali are now languishing in 17th place and could see the fight for survival go to the wire.

Having finished in 12th place last term, President Tommaso Ghirardi was hoping his men would push for UEFA Cup qualification this time around, but his patience is being tested by a miserable campaign.

This is Di Carlo’s maiden Serie A voyage and his success in the Second Division with Mantova may not have equipped him for the pressures of the big stage.

After just four wins in 21 games, Parma have reached crisis point and reports in La Gazzetta dello Sport suggest that Ghirardi has started to search for a new tactician.

Alberto Zaccheroni is amongst the favourites, but the former Milan and Inter boss best known for his distinctive and attacking 3-4-3 formation has been out of the game since being sacked by Torino a year ago.

Ex-Chelsea boss Gianluca Vialli is also said to be in the frame. The 43-year-old currently works as a TV pundit in Italy and reportedly turned down the Queens Park Rangers job after the dismissal of John Gregory.

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