On 7 June 2018, Maran was appointed manager of Cagliari on a two-year contract. His side won seven of their first 12 games to challenge for a Champions League place in November; the only time the Sardinians had started so well was when they won the league for the only time in 1969–70. This form did not continue into the second half of the season, and on 3 March 2020, he was fired by Cagliari after a run of 12 consecutive games without a league win.