Raffaele Palladino and Luca Percassi sign Atalanta contract (@atalanta_bc)
Raffaele Palladino insisted: “There were other calls, but I waited for Atalanta to return to the bench,” and sent a message to Ademola Lookman, saying he wants “a team that fights for every ball.”
The manager was appointed last Tuesday, and his press conference was postponed until this evening due to limited team availability during his international break.
He is set to make his big debut on Saturday against Antonio Conte’s Napoli at his hometown Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
“Atalanta is a great club, so I’m very happy to be here. I will do my best to raise the flag high. I would like to thank the Percassi family, Steven Paliuca and Tony D’Amico for giving me this great opportunity,” said Paladino.
“In my first meeting with the players, I tried to focus on Atalanta’s intensity and DNA. I wanted them to rediscover the identity of sacrifice and grit that has always distinguished this team.
“We don’t have much time, but we have to make the most of it.”
Palladino follows in Gasperini’s footsteps
Atalanta enjoyed nine successful years under Gian Piero Gasperini. Gasperini was the mentor to Palladino and his predecessor Ivan Djuric.
However, Djuric struggled with just four wins, eight draws and three defeats between Serie A and the Champions League before being sacked.
“I would like to pay tribute to Juric, with whom I have had a good relationship since my playing days. I have seen that he is doing a good job of improving the fitness of the players, but it is true that I have my own ideas that need to be implemented,” Palladino said.
“The tenet of this club is to fight for every ball, so I want to see a team that is ready to fight. Atalanta do not deserve the current position, but we have to bounce back.”
It has been noted that both Juric and Palladino started out following Gasperini’s ideas, but diverged in slightly different directions.
“I’m not a tactical fundamentalist, so I’m open to different aspects. I want to make something suitable for Atalanta and I think this team is suitable for a 3-4-2-1 formation. They already know it well and have the right characteristics, so we just have to work on the details and improve.”
Did Palladino tell Gasperini directly about this new adventure?
“I didn’t have the chance. Gian Pierrot has achieved great things with the club, but there’s a lot to do, so now we have to move forward. We need to put more bodies into the box and I hope that will lead to more goals.”
Among the problems Atalanta suffered under Gasperini and Juric was their relationship with Lookman, who they tried unsuccessfully to push for his departure in the summer.
How will the new coach approach the Nigerian players and give them a fresh start?
“I called all the players who are away on international duty and Ademola has shown a very good attitude towards me. Like any other player, I will evaluate his playing time based on what I see in training.”
As for Paladino, this is only his third club as he entered Serie A with Monza and then managed Fiorentina for one season.
“I have spent the last few months learning and developing as a coach. I received other offers, but I waited for Atalanta. We have the same goal, so I said yes without hesitation.”
“I think this city deserves to have a team that reflects the spirit of the people of Bergamo and fights for every ball.”
Atalanta were used to competing in the Champions League with Gasperini in charge, but this difficult start to the Serie A season has handicapped them from reaching the Champions League again.
“Our goal is to qualify for Europe. The team is strong and the club has made some great signings. I think this team has to work harder. I believe in the strength of the players.”
Did they seek reinforcements in the transfer window leading up to January?
“No, my goal now is to get to know these players better, because we have a strong team. I want to improve the mentality of this team. The players were disappointed at the start of the season, but now they have to look up. I can’t wait to get us on the field,” Paladino concluded.
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