Key Takeaways:
- Atalanta confirmed on Tuesday the departure of coach Raffaele Palladino after just 39 matches in charge
- Palladino guided the club to a seventh-place Serie A finish, following a challenging start to the campaign
- Maurizio Sarri, former manager of Lazio, Juventus and Chelsea, has been reported as the prime contender to succeed Palladino
Palladino’s Short Stint Comes to an End
Atalanta have announced the departure of Raffaele Palladino, who oversaw the team for 39 matches during his tenure. Despite arriving in November as a replacement for Ivan Juric, Palladino managed to arrest the club’s troubling early form and led Atalanta to a seventh-place finish in Serie A last season.
His time in charge, however, did not see a return to the standards set under predecessor Gian Piero Gasperini. The club’s Champions League aspirations also fell short after being eliminated at the round of 16, suffering a 10-2 aggregate defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich.
Atalanta have officially confirmed the departure of Raffaele Palladino. pic.twitter.com/vvLwQe4EQd
— Atalanta BC News (@AtalantaBC_News) June 9, 2026
Managerial Search Underway: Sarri Linked
With Palladino now departing, Atalanta have turned their attention towards finding a new managerial figure. Italian media outlets have identified Maurizio Sarri as the top candidate for the post. Sarri, 67, previously managed Lazio, Juventus, and Chelsea, and recently parted ways with Lazio by mutual agreement.
| Manager | Matches in Charge | League Finish | Champions League Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raffaele Palladino | 39 | 7th | Round of 16 (Lost 10-2 aggregate to Bayern Munich) |
Background and Prospects
Palladino’s arrival last November came at a time when Atalanta were struggling in the lower half of the table. Although he restored some consistency to the side, the club did not reach the heights experienced under Gasperini. The potential appointment of Maurizio Sarri could signal a new phase for the Bergamo outfit as they seek stability and improvement in both domestic and European competitions.
