As Gian Piero Gasperini once again flirts with the possibility of his departure, it is worth looking at the next Atalanta manager candidates being touted to succeed an irreplaceable figure.
Is Gian Piero Gasperini Leaving Atalanta?
Gian Piero Gasperini has always maintained his intention to see out the remainder of his contract, which keeps him at Atalanta until June 2025.
The ever-progressive 67-year-old has battled constantly with the concept of an archetypal Italian manager, and during his nearly 10-year stint in Bergamo, he has cultivated a special bond with the club.
Transforming Atalanta into one of Europe’s most revered attacking units, he led them to their first trophy in 61 years in last season’s Europa League final, which also happened to be his first as a coach at the ripe old age of 66.
La Dea are desperate to hold on to Gasperini, and have offered him fresh terms with a bumper salary, in hopes of tying him down until 2028.
Despite Atalanta’s best efforts to keep the most transformative figure in the club’s history, reports in Italy suggest Gasperini could be swayed by proposals elsewhere.
Not least Roma, with a replacement needed for the outgoing Claudio Ranieri, who has been tasked with helping appointment his own successor.
Speaking at the Gianni Di Marzio National Awards, Gasperini rubbished rumours linking him with Roma, largely due to the respect he holds for Ranieri. His comments will no doubt help his case, should the incumbent look to the Atalanta boss as his replacement.
“Roma? It’s not possible because there’s a coach who’s too good and maybe he’ll change his mind.”
Gasperini continued by answering questions over his future, saying: “I have a contract with Atalanta. It was the same last year — the renewal was signed in August, after the season had already started.
“There’s such harmony between me and Atalanta that there will never be any issues, but then again, football is unpredictable.
“To be honest, unlike in previous years, I feel it won’t be easy to repeat what Atalanta has done. That worries me — it’s not a given that we’ll be able to replicate this season’s achievements.”
It is difficult not to read too much into Gapserini’s comments, and his answers suggest he may feel he has taken Atalanta as far as he can.
With Serie A heavyweights Roma on the lookout for a new manager, and the next AC Milan manager still be decided, there are plenty of job opportunities cropping up at precisely the right time in Italy, should he depart.
Although Atalanta have sent him their new proposal, there must also be a contingency plan in place, so it is worth taking a look at the shortlist of next Atalanta manager candidates.
Next Atalanta Manager Candidates
Thiago Motta
Thiago Motta’s reputation as a manager was somewhat tarnished after his premature exit from Juventus in March, less than a year after being appointed.
Despite wide-spread reports questioning his relationship with the dressing room — which Motta has vehemently denied — he claims Juve were just a point away from the hierarchy’s ‘priority target’ at the start of the season.
His short-lived tenure at Juve has no doubt overshadowed his previous achievements as a young manager.
Not least guiding Bologna to the Champions League for the first time since 1965 in his first full season, having also led Spezia to safety two years before.
Motta’s reputation as a forward-thinking, modern manager is just the kind of appointment Atalanta will be eager to complete, should they need to replace Gasperini — a fellow pioneer of daring football.
Motta’s teams have often been set-up in unconventional formations, not least the ‘2-7-2’ which essentially flips the popular 4-3-3 formation from vertical to horizontal.
Remember the 2-7-2 formation? Thiago Motta has never thought of an actual 2-7-2 with the GK who’d become a midfielder. He just changed the way of reading formations. Instead of reading a 4-3-3 vertically, you flip the pitch & look at it horizontally. Then it becomes a 2-7-2. (1/2 pic.twitter.com/Owk2AoeRcQ
— Fabri (@17Reazy) November 29, 2023
One of Motta’s most redeeming qualities is his current unemployment. For a club infamous for operating on the bread line, not having to pay a new manager out of their contract, or offer bloated bonus packages, is an attractive prospect.
Atalanta is the perfect middle ground for Motta to get his managerial career back on track; a hugely aspirational club, playing in Europe, but without the toxic pressures of Juventus’ muddled project.
Francesco Farioli
Another manager who may be suffering from an identity crisis is Francesco Farioli, who this week left his post at Ajax, just one season into a three-year deal.
Ajax were cruising at the top of the Eredivisie with seven games to go, stretching nine points ahead of rivals PSV.
However, a capitulation of epic proportions saw PSV chip away at their lead as they continued to drop points, eventually finishing a point behind in second on the final day.
The club’s technical director Alex Kroes insisted Farioli’s decision to leave was by his own volition due to a “difference in vision”, much to the club’s disappointment who were grateful for “enhancing the high-performance culture.”
Farioli is a disciple of Roberto De Zerbi, having been his goalkeeper coach at both Benevento and Sassuolo. Strangely, the Barga-born 36-year-old has never had a leading managerial role in Italy, instead starting out in Turkey before hopping to both Nice and Ajax.
His background alongside De Zerbi is consistent with his penchant for offensive football, which of course fits the billing in regards to Atalanta.
Whether Ajax’s lily-livered title surrender has a bearing on his ability to find a job remains to be seen, but Farioli’s reputation for daring, intoxicating football makes him a suitable fit.
It is, again, worth pointing out he is now without a club ,which is likely Atalanta’s preference.
Maurizio Sarri
Another man who is readily available is Maurizio Sarri.
A reputation for consistency and success wherever he has been, Sarri is a strong candidate for a host of teams this summer, including AC Milan.
A Europa League winner with Chelsea, and a Serie A title to add with Juventus is a strong resume for a club like Atalanta, and his arrival would be a real coup.
Sarri most recently led Lazio to their highest finish this century, and his tactical philosophy of progressive, attack-minded football would align with Atalanta’s identity.
He too is being considered for the Roma vacancy, but it appears almost certain Sarri’s next job is in Italy.
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