Ivo Pulga

Playing career

A physical centre midfielder, Pulga started his career at Serie D amateurs Carpi; after a rather unsuccessful loan at Bologna (no first team appearances), he moved back into professionalism in 1984 by joining Serie C1 club Modena. In 1985, he joined Cagliari, then in Serie C1 as well; from 1989 to 1991 he was one of the protagonists, as team captain and established fan favourite player, of the club's two consecutive promotions to Serie A under the tenure of Claudio Ranieri. He then joined high-flyers Parma in 1991, winning a Coppa Italia and a UEFA Cup Winners Cup while at the club but playing far less than before. Pulga left Parma in 1993 to sign for Serie B club Vicenza, and then returned to Carpi one year later, ending his playing career after five more seasons there.

Coaching career

After retirement, Pulga became a youth coach at Modena (first at Allievi Nazionali, then at Primavera). He then served as Agatino Cuttone's assistant during some part of the 2011–12 Serie B campaign. An UEFA Pro licensed coach, Pulga was named to replace Massimo Ficcadenti as new coach of Serie A club Cagliari, alongside newly appointed assistant Diego López, on 2 October 2012 in a somewhat surprise move due to his lack of managerial experience. He swapped roles with López in July 2013, after the latter was allowed to serve as head coach after being admitted at the yearly UEFA Pro License course. He was relieved from his assistant coach duties on 18 February…