Gian Piero Gasperini took Atalanta to dreamland in the Europa League final, winning their first trophy in six decades, and now may be the perfect time for the coach to end his time in charge in Bergamo.
La Dea handed Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen their first defeat of the season in their European final clash at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Wednesday night, cruising to a 3-0 win thanks to star forward Ademola Lookman, who netted a historic hattrick.
For Atalanta, it was their first major honour since the 1962-63 season, when they won the Coppa Italia, and it was Gasperini’s first ever trophy, finally winning some silverware after eight years in Bergamo.
Should Gasperini leave Atalanta?
In a sense then, this could be the perfect time for the coach and club to part ways. How can Gasperini ever follow up this historic achievement with Atalanta?
The 66-year-old Italian coach has been heavily linked with the Napoli job, something he even alluded to when speaking to the media after the Europa League final, and there’d be no ill will in Bergamo should he make the move south in the summer.
Gasperini has made history with Atalanta and could crown off his incredible eight-year spell in charge with a European trophy, whilst staying longer is unlikely to add to his legacy at the club.