Atalanta: Percassi on Juric, Palladino and Gasperini’s exit | OneFootball

Atalanta is going through a period of significant changes, and it is CEO Luca Percassi who recounts the club’s decisions in a lengthy interview with Corriere della Sera.

Atalanta, Percassi talks about Juric, Palladino, and Gasperini’s farewell: “Difficult but necessary decisions”

From Ivan Juric’s dismissal to the arrival of Raffaele Palladino, up to the painful farewell to Gian Piero Gasperini, Percassi lifts the curtain on the technical management and strategies of the Bergamo club.

“Juric’s dismissal was the most painful choice”

After 16 years and only two dismissals, the decision to end the journey with Juric was not an easy one:

“For me, it was the most painful choice ever. Ivan is a serious and competent professional. His journey in the Champions League was positive, but in the league, after an initial growth, we deserved a few more points. Since the last break, the team has shown an unexpected downturn.”

At Atalanta, Juric leaves the team in 13th place in Serie A, with 13 points from 11 matches, and a complex situation that pushed the club to intervene to change course.

Palladino, a choice of continuity and patience

Percassi highlights the logic behind the appointment of Palladino:

“The choice of Raffaele fits into the line that guided us in the summer: to stay true to our style of football. It was also a suggestion from the team. Palladino has these qualities, and I believe he waited for Atalanta: he could have gone to other teams, but instead he chose Bergamo.”

The appointment, therefore, was not a gamble but a combination of tactical continuity and trust in the coach, who had shown attachment and patience towards the club.

Gasperini, an unexpected farewell

Gasperini’s departure remains a difficult chapter to digest:

“The discussion about his contract and the new team continued until the last month of the season, every day. We only learned of his decision to stop two days after the last match. Before that, everything led us to believe he would stay.”

An abrupt decision that required swift and pragmatic management, culminating in the hiring of Juric and, subsequently, the decision to entrust the bench to Palladino.

Percassi’s responsibilities and vision

“I take responsibility for it. We acted with seriousness and in the interest of the team, trying to maintain Atalanta’s philosophy and enhance the work of our coaches.”

In this way, Percassi highlights the common thread that links the club’s decisions: continuity, professionalism, and safeguarding the club’s historic values, even in the most complex moments.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.