Gian Piero Gasperini rejected Roma because Atalanta are ‘already’ a big club, promises ‘major signings’ and wants a Champions League ‘group of death’.
Gasperini turned down the Roma vacancy to steer Atalanta into their first-ever Champions League campaign, and he admits he ‘couldn’t’ leave the Bergamo club after having just made history.
“Roma are Roma, and I think I could’ve done a good job for them,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
Gian Piero Gasperini rejected Roma because Atalanta are ‘already’ a big club, promises ‘major signings’ and wants a Champions League ‘group of death’.
Gasperini turned down the Roma vacancy to steer Atalanta into their first-ever Champions League campaign, and he admits he ‘couldn’t’ leave the Bergamo club after having just made history.
“Roma are Roma, and I think I could’ve done a good job for them,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I certainly would’ve earned more. I took my time. To all the clubs who have contacted me, including those abroad, I told them I wouldn’t have given them an answer before the meeting President Percassi.
“I didn’t need a big club. In terms of club, team and fan base, I’m already at a big one. It’s difficult to find a passionate and generous club like this one
“I couldn’t leave Atalanta and their fans before the Champions League. In my first season, after four defeats in five games, a man stopped me outside my home and told me: ‘I like your ideas. I’m convinced that you’ll do well here.’
“I didn’t think he was taking the mick. I saved myself against Crotone, met that gentleman again and he invited me to dinner at his home.
“I still didn’t know anyone in Bergamo. He cooked a great risotto. Today Paolo is a good friend of mine and now we’re in the Champions League…”
The love story at the Azzurri d’Italia appeared to have ended last August, when the Dea were eliminated from the Europa League playoffs by FC Copenhagen.
“At our most critical moment, I asked the lads to write on the board what our objective would be.
“No-one wrote the Champions League. A couple of the youngest, who are optimists, wrote the Europa League.
“Most of them wrote ‘get out of trouble quickly’. Ilicic wrote ‘survival’. And he wasn’t the only one.
“The lads have been exceptional and have gone beyond all expectations, despite us having a small squad.”
Finally, the 61-year-old was asked about his side’s chances in Europe’s elite club competition and whether any of their stars would be sold.
“First of all, no-one leaves. Then there will be some major signings in attack. We want a group of death.
“We must bring our fans to the noblest venues. If it’s a fairy tale, it’ll have to be a great ball at the Bernabeu or in front of the Liverpool kop.
“The President is doing everything to host the Champions League at our new stadium. It would be great.”