Gian Piero Gasperini refused to confirm he will be on the Atalanta bench next season. ‘I have a contract, but clearly things have changed and it depends on the club.’
The tactician has transformed La Dea from a side yo-yoing between Serie A and B to regulars in the Champions League, this season reaching the Europa League quarter-finals.
Following a 3-1 Serie A victory away to Spezia, the coach spoke to Sky Sport Italia about his future and was far from reassuring.
Serie A | Spezia 1-3 Atalanta: Muriel gets Dea back on track
“I am very fond of this club and these fans, I signed a contract in November, but clearly things have changed and it depends on the club, what they decide.
“We have never talked about it, I am open to any option. If we go forward like this, I will continue with enthusiasm.”
The changes are that half the club’s shares were sold to American investor Stephen Pagliuca, with new directors coming in and promises of big signings to reinforce the squad.
“Regardless of what happens with me or the players, I hope that Atalanta can keep growing and doing better. It’s not easy for a city like Bergamo to be recognised all over the world. We achieved extraordinary results, but if you ask me if Atalanta can win the Scudetto, Champions League or Europa League, I’ll tell you that happens for one in 10,000 teams.”
Despite this win, it remains entirely possible La Dea won’t even qualify for European football.
“We revolutionised the squad compared to six years ago and had so much success. Hearing critics talk about this as a failed season is a very strange way of looking at things.”
Atalanta were able to get the 3-1 win away to Spezia, but had conceded the equaliser with all their outfield players in the opposition half.
“These are the kinds of goals a coach should be ashamed of conceding,” added Gasperini.
#SerieA, @Atalanta_BC | Le parole di #Gasperini, #Zappacosta e #Muriel dopo la vittoria in #SpeziaAtalantahttps://t.co/KtBgXoH5uq
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) May 8, 2022
