Gian Piero Gasperini admitted he was open to making the move to Saudi Arabia in the future and suggested that he may not ‘have time’ to start a new cycle with Atalanta.
The 65-year-old Italian coach has been with the Bergamo outfit since 2016, taking them to the Champions League on multiple occasions and creating a reputation for strong player development. They reached the Coppa Italia final twice in 2019 and 2021, finishing second both times.
Atalanta have started the new season positively and currently sit sixth in the Serie A table after eight games, picking up 13 points from four wins and a draw. La Dea have their sights set on a return to Europe’s premier club competition.
Speaking on pages 12 and 13 of today’s Gazzetta dello Sport, Gasperini first discussed a possible move to Saudi Arabia.
“There was a possibility, I wasn’t mentally ready, and I had a commitment. From what I’ve seen, it’s not a flash in the pan. There are well-prepared young people who have studied in London or New York and know what they want, with enormous availability.
“The hypothesis remains alive only if I had the conviction of being able to bring something new. So, it would make sense, beyond money. It would be the crowning achievement of a career.”
He spoke about the idea of closing this cycle at Atalanta and starting a new one.
“The closing of the cycle is always postponed. Even this summer, in the end, only Zapata left. The strong nucleus remains the historic one.
“I don’t know if I will have time to start a new cycle. Also, because Atalanta now it’s a triad of forty-year-olds, led by CEO Luca Percassi, with directors Congerton and D’Amico. That’s right.
“They work hard, they’re good and know how to walk on their own. It could also be right that everything ends with this cycle. We’ll see later.
“American ownership guarantees the future of the club, even if I’m linked to Percassi. Now analysts and algorithms are very important, useful, but in football they don’t always work.”
He was asked if Gianluca Scamacca could be Italy’s new number 9 at next summer’s European Championship.
“He has everything to become that, physicality, shooting, aerial play. But he must put competitive spirit, ambition and fire inside. Heart and head, the rest comes later.”
The Atalanta coach commented on how it’ll feel to see Papu Gomez with Monza.
“It will be wonderful to meet him. We will compete in April, but I plan to see him first in Bergamo. He was the player I used the most. He represents a golden age. I will dance the Papu Dance with Galliani.”
Gasperini was asked about the recent controversy started by statements made by Joakim Maehle after his move to Wolfsburg.
“It was an insult to hundreds of players, to the Atalanta environment which has always been young, fresh, polite, convinced… The strength of la Dea has always been the strength of her locker room, which cannot be tarnished by someone given up for technical reasons.
“I’ve never had problems with the fans. With Fiorentina and Lazio, everything was born from incidents on the pitch, for penalties given or not given. In recent years Atalanta have caused a lot of trouble and have suffered inexplicable decisions.
“I simply put my face to defend her. A president who counted for a lot in Italy and Europe, not the one from Borgorosso, publicly wondered if Atalanta had the right to the Champions League, which they deserved on the pitch. Thank God, things have been better for a year and a half.”
Finally, Gasperini gave his thoughts on the performances of the top teams and the title race this season.
“Juventus are strong, but have a few less certainties. Napoli have problems and will lose Osimhen for the African Cup of Nations, but they remain the team that won the title by a landslide.
“I see the Milanese teams and Napoli in front. Roma, if Dybala and Lukaku are well, will play against the top sides. Lazio, after an extraordinary year, have a more normal performance.”