Gasperini in positive talks with Roma after warning Atalanta he is ready to quit | OneFootball

Gian Piero Gasperini is reportedly edging closer to joining Roma after telling Atalanta he was ready to walk away, ending a nine-year tenure.

There had been reports today following a meeting with co-owners Antonio Percassi and Stephen Pagliuca that Gasperini was for the first time genuinely considering an exit from Bergamo.

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 20: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of Atalanta, reacts during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Atalanta at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 20, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Whereas before he had wanted guarantees on the length of the contract, investment in the squad and ambitions for the seasons ahead, this time the situation has changed.

The coach was simply struggling to find the motivation to do better after taking Atalanta to the Champions League for the fifth time in seven years.

Gasperini sees end of the road for Atalanta

BERGAMO, ITALY – MAY 25: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of Atalanta, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Atalanta and Parma at Gewiss Stadium on May 25, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

With that in mind, now Sportitalia, Sky Sport Italia and more all report that Gasperini is in talks with Roma to be the heir to Claudio Ranieri.

He had been one of the main candidates along with Cesc Fabregas, but Como are refusing to release the Spaniard from his contract.

Sportitalia maintain Ranieri himself spoke to Gasperini today, paving the way for more advanced negotiations on contract details.

Gasp took charge of Atalanta in 2016 and turned them from battling to avoid relegation into regulars in the Champions League and Europa League winners in 2024.

As for La Dea, their candidates to take over from the Gasp era include current Juventus coach Igor Tudor and ex-Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri.