Gian Piero Gasperini confirms he has ‘virtually’ signed a new contract with Atalanta, will try Nicolò Zaniolo as a False 9 and can’t wait for the European Super Cup against Real Madrid.
There was a spell during the summer when the coach was tempted by the idea of leaving Bergamo for a new adventure at Napoli, but he decided to continue his iconic status with La Dea.
He arrived in 2016 and is currently under contract to June 2025, but is expected to agree a new deal with improved salary.
“I have virtually signed the extension,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia this evening.
“It has been eight years since I came to Atalanta. Winning the Europa League allowed us to receive congratulations from all sorts and we brought a European trophy back to Italy after many years. Now we must do well to start the season from next week.”
They have a tougher start than most, scheduled to play the UEFA Super Cup against Champions League holders Real Madrid in Warsaw on August 14.
“Facing Real Madrid in a European Super Cup was a difficult thing for us to imagine. Even playing them in an August friendly would’ve been surprising.
“I expect an extraordinary event and it’s not easy to get to Warsaw, but many of our fans are working to organise it. Carlo Ancelotti is an extraordinary person, not just for his results, but the balance he manages to keep. The most he does is raise an eyebrow! We were both on the coaching badges course together in the 1990s.”
Gasperini ready to experiment with Zaniolo
Atalanta are changing this summer and have already signed Italy international Zaniolo from Galatasaray following his loan experience at Aston Villa.
There are reports that the versatile winger could even be used as a False 9.
“That is an option I am certainly giving thought to, I’m curious to see if it will be possible.”
Teun Koopmeiners is a known transfer target for Juventus and missed EURO 2024 due to injury, but Gasperini is not ready to let go of the Dutch international.
“We never talked about other teams with him. It was a pity this injury forced him to miss the Euros, but he is working well in training.”
May Ancelotti & Madrid shut this arrogant sore loser up !
Arrogant ? Please this guy is an amazing coach . Madrid is the most arrogant obnoxious club.
I love Atalanta and Gasparini. Great team and great coach. However, Zaniolo is a bust wherever he has been. Broom him fast.
Looser? Loosing what? Loosing the the Europa League on a budget and without being sponsored by Spanish Royalty? Another example of the Old Guard scare by the up and coming.
@tom @rechnin clubs like Madrid, Bayern, Liverpool & Inter have every right to be “arrogant” for their success. Gasperini? One Europa League trophy and he’s been acting like he’s on the same level as Ancelotti, Guardiola & Klopp.
Ideal to come to Atalanta then? Could be player of the season by the end then?
@ Omar
I’m sure, you had sleepless night, whenever you thoughts of Atalanta…. This coach may be arrogant but his result speaks for him, and I bet Ancelloti is also arrogant with his raised eyebrow, an emblem of his narcissistic language that I have won more champions league medals than anyone…now let’s see who’s going to have the wit between the two when they meet… I’m betting on Gasperini anyways..
@Omar
Gasperini took a mid-table team (at best) to the top, cup finals, including a Europa League Winner rather than taking over at a top team with a huge budget, he has to work for what he’s got and had to rebuild his team every season when the bigger teams inevitable poach his best players.
He’s not even arrogant, everyone was saying he’d done nothing, you prove nothing until you win something then when he wins something you cry he’s arrogant.
Smacks of a big team fan not liking being shown what can be done without throwing the cash around.
@Omar
You mean Guardiola and Klopp, both managers who have praised Gasp for what he has done and see him as one of the best managers in Europe, what was it that Guardiola said it was like playing against Atalanta?
Hope Gasperini and Atalanta will be able to show Madrid their place.