Parma had ‘courage’ to call me, players must show desire to stay in Serie A

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 21: FC Internazionale Milano former player Cristian Chivu looks on prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 21, 2018 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

New Parma head coach Christian Chivu believes that the ‘mental aspect’ will be ‘more important’ than any technical or physical factor in the remaining months of the season.

The Gialloblu sacked Fabio Pecchia after their fourth consecutive Serie A defeat against Roma last weekend and tasked the former Inter Primavera boss with steering the team out of the relegation zone.

While the former Nerazzurri and Roma defender admitted being ‘surprised’ by the Ducali’s call, he proved to have clear idea of what to start from to revive his team, as he is convinced they lack ‘confidence’ and urged the players to ‘take more responsibility’.

Chivu: Parma players need to show desire to stay in Serie A

“We met on the same day we arrived in Parma. I was surprised by the call from a club that had the courage to invite me for an interview”, Chivu told reporters in his first press conference as Parma head coach, as quoted by TMW.

“I know the reality of a club with a long-term project, and I’m pleased to have been contacted and chosen.

“I’m happy to be part of a club with great ambition. There’s an important project here. The squad is full of talented young players the club is investing in, and our job is to get results while helping them grow.

“Right now, there’s a lack of confidence due to recent results, so I’ve focused on restoring belief and courage. We need to be proactive—confidence is crucial for young players. My players are the best, and I have to give them my all.

Chivu has spent the last few months analysing matches to stay updated with the game’s latest developments, but he knows that his priority in his new role will be to find a way to ‘be heard and earn credibility’ with his players.

“During these months, I dedicated a lot of time to studying and traveling,” the 44-year-old said.

“I watched many matches and resumed my UEFA analysis work on the Champions League. It’s a great job because it allows you to engage with top coaches and clubs while studying new football trends.

“Leadership is innate—not everyone has it—but you need to press the right buttons to boost self-confidence. It’s about transmitting belief and courage. Leadership comes from a small group of players who can pass it on to the rest of the squad, allowing everyone to perform and give more.

“You connect with young players by trusting them, talking to them, and giving them feedback. You need to find the right way to be heard and earn credibility.

“It’s important for them to see someone they recognise as credible, someone who conveys something valuable both in football and in life.

“Sensitivity is key—you need the right approach for each individual, as everyone is different. Communication and the confidence you instill are crucial.”

The Rumanian coach claimed he’ll immediately try to change his team’s mindset, but the sense of responsibility of his players was also a key topic of his unveiling press conference.

“It’s not an easy moment—confidence is lacking,” Chivu conceded.

“Our focus has been on that. We’ve tried to inject enthusiasm to bring a different mindset compared to the last few games. It takes time and patience. Determination is needed to ensure the team approaches games with a different mentality.”

“First and foremost, we need points—winning games makes everything easier. It helps us work well together and improve individual performances.

“We need something extra compared to what’s been done so far. The players must take more responsibility—they need to show the desire to keep this club in Serie A.

“I can’t judge the team physically yet because they are mentally down, and the two aspects must be addressed together.

“We will need to do a lot of physical work—it has already been a focus—but the mental aspect is even more important right now.

“I want to thank the president and the club for their trust. I’m honored to be part of this project. This is the best I could have hoped for when I started coaching.

“I began with youth teams, and for me, Parma is the highest level I can aspire to right now. I embrace this responsibility and the opportunity to work for a club with a strong project. Working with young players excites me, and I want to bring that energy to the talented players in this squad.”

Dennis Man’s development seemed to stop after a promising start to the season, and Chivu made clear he wants ‘much more’ from his forward.

“Dennis, like the others, needs to work hard, stay committed, and take responsibility,” Chivu claimed.

“He’s an important player, but he has struggled since December. Our job is to get him back in shape and restore him to the player we know he can be. What he showed at the start of the season isn’t enough—I want much more because he has the potential to deliver.”