Atalanta CEO Umberto Marino highlighted the ‘great opportunity’ following the recent investment into the club and reassured the fans that ‘the Percassi family remain at the helm’.
The Percassi family sold 55% of the shares of Atalanta to a group of investors led by Stephen Pagliuca, co-owner of the NBA team the Boston Celtics and co-Chairman of Bain Capital, one of the leading investment funds in the world, but they haven’t fully sold out, keeping 45% of their stake in the club.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of today’s match against Fiorentina, Marino discussed the opportunities the new investment brings.
“It is a great opportunity. In the wake of what has been built, there is a partnership with sportsmen before investors, which I believe means that Atalanta will remain competitive with a broader vision while maintaining our DNA.
“If they have embraced this model it is because they appreciate it. The Percassi family grew up on the pitches of Zingonia and our new partners know how important it is to keep the team on top.”
The Atalanta CEO sent a message to the fans following the deal.
“The starting point is that the Percassi family remain at the helm of Atalanta. These are partners who are men of sport before being investors and it must reassure everyone. Atalanta is known all over the world thanks to the work of recent years that we want to follow up on.”
He suggested that the investment gives la Dea more resources to work with in the transfer market.
“This is the will of the ownership: to always be stronger in Italy and in Europe. This is the condition and the goal.”
Marino spoke about the length of the investment.
“Atalanta must maintain its principles of balance regardless of investments of a certain type. We should never distort ourselves because we can grow even with targeted investments.”
He seemed to imply that Atalanta would not look to sign any free agents to shore up their attack.
“Our transfer market ended on January 31. We have a large squad. We are asking the coach for further tactical alchemy. We expect this squad to do well until the return of the injured players.”
Finally, Marino discussed the race for a top four finish this season.
“I said this a couple of weeks ago, there are a lot of teams, including Fiorentina, Roma and Lazio because the league is long and there could be surprises.
“It’s the most competitive European league and I’m happy to be able to represent an Atalanta side that is competing against big clubs with big pools.”
Atalanta, Marino: "I nuovi partner non snatureranno il nostro DNA. Puntiamo a restare in alto" https://t.co/KEx2Kh6OXC
— TUTTOmercatoWEB (@TuttoMercatoWeb) February 20, 2022