Parma president Tommaso Ghirardi has defended the sacking of coach Hector Cuper.

"I made my decision for the good of the team," the Gialloblu chief maintained. "We achieved a near miracle last year and we can do the same this time.

"I was appalled by certain reports from people who think that this move was designed to help Inter. I would like to know whether these people are aware of what it means to go down on terms of image and economics."

Youth Coach Andrea Manzo has been drafted in to take charge of the final game of the campaign, but Ghirardi isn't relying on the inexperienced tactician to inspire heroics.

"The only people who can save Parma are the players," he said. "It seems like I have taken away an alibi and stopped them thinking about everything that happened when Cuper was at Inter.

"I spoke to Hector and he understood my motives, even if he is obviously disappointed."