Atalanta Set to Part Ways with Juric as Palladino Emerges as Successor

Ivan Juric’s tenure at Atalanta is nearing its end, as reports from Calciomercato and Bergamo Post indicate that his dismissal is imminent. The decisive factor appears to be a comprehensive 3-0 home defeat to Sassuolo this past Sunday, a result that has intensified internal discussions at the Bergamo club. In a match where Atalanta held 66% possession, they managed only two shots on target, while Domenico Berardi and Andrea Pinamonti secured two goals and one goal, respectively, sealing Atalanta’s fate.

The combination of disappointing results and a strained relationship with both the club’s ownership and its fanbase has reportedly compelled the club to make a change, with an announcement expected shortly.

Juric, who has previously coached Southampton and Roma, is facing his third dismissal within a year, reflecting a challenging phase in his managerial career.

Atalanta has acted quickly to identify a successor, with Raffaele Palladino reportedly leading the race to take over from Juric. Calciomercato confirms that negotiations between Atalanta and Palladino are at an advanced stage, indicating that a deal may soon be finalized.

Palladino, 41, a former Fiorentina coach, has a background as a student of Gian Piero Gasperini and was once a teammate of Juric at Genoa. This connection suggests a desire for tactical continuity, aligning with the established playing style and mentality at Atalanta. His recent coaching accomplishments include leading Monza to consecutive Serie A salvations and guiding Fiorentina to a seventh-place finish in Serie A, as well as a Conference League semi-final appearance last season.

The decision to appoint Palladino is perceived as a strategy to restore stability and reintroduce a familiar footballing philosophy at Atalanta, with the aim of rekindling the club’s past successes under Gasperini.

A significant factor contributing to Juric’s impending exit is the breakdown of his relationships within the club. Reports suggest that his position was already precarious before the Sassuolo defeat, with discussions intensifying due to a perceived lack of chemistry between Juric and the fans.

This disconnect with the fanbase, along with disagreements with the ownership, has created an untenable situation for the Croatian coach. Notably, Atalanta’s American co-owner, Stephen Pagliuca, was present at the Gewiss Stadium for the disappointing performance against Sassuolo, which reportedly led to a late-night summit resulting in the decision to change management.

Juric’s statistical record at Atalanta presents a troubling picture. In 11 Serie A matches this season, the club has only garnered 13 points from two wins and seven draws, in stark contrast to the previous season when they amassed 22 points and sat in third place after the same number of games. The team has scored a mere 13 goals while conceding 11.

Atalanta’s last league victory was on September 21, when they defeated Torino 3-1. Since then, they have collected only five points and scored just four goals in their last seven Serie A matches, which include consecutive defeats against Udinese and Sassuolo.

Although their Champions League campaign has yielded a more respectable seven points from four matches, including a solid performance against Marseille, this has not been enough to secure the confidence of the club’s hierarchy. Currently, Atalanta sits in 13th place in Serie A, significantly underperforming expectations for a team that has consistently contested for European positions in recent years. Their recent league performance shows three draws and two losses in the last five matches.

The official announcement regarding Juric’s sacking and Palladino’s appointment is expected imminently. Palladino will be tasked with revitalizing a struggling squad that currently lacks confidence and direction. His immediate challenge will be to instill a renewed sense of purpose and tactical discipline, especially as Atalanta faces a congested schedule in both Serie A and the Champions League.

This management change aims to inject much-needed energy into the team, with hopes of climbing out of their current mid-table position and reigniting their European ambitions. The focus will be on swiftly integrating Palladino’s philosophy while improving both their goal-scoring and defensive capabilities, which have both faltered under Juric. Additionally, the new coach must work to mend the fractured relationship with the fanbase and restore unity within the club.