Mansion Sports – Atalanta have officially confirmed the appointment of Raffaele Palladino as the club’s new head coach. 

The announcement came shortly after the dismissal of Ivan Juric, who was relieved of his duties just a few months into his tenure. 

The former Roma and Southampton manager was sacked following a poor run of form, as Atalanta went six Serie A matches without a single victory.

Atalanta Confirm Palladino’s Appointment After Juric’s Departure

A 3–0 defeat to Sassuolo extended Atalanta’s winless streak in Serie A to six matches, leaving them languishing in 13th place in the standings. 

Despite a midweek Champions League victory over Marseille, the loss to Sassuolo was deemed unacceptable and led the club to terminate Juric’s contract on Monday.

Soon after, Atalanta officially announced that Raffaele Palladino would take over as the new head coach. 

His arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Bergamo-based club, which aims to restore its domestic form and reestablish itself among Italy’s top contenders.

The club’s official statement read: “Atalanta BC is delighted to announce that the position of First Team Technical Director has been entrusted to Raffaele Palladino. He has signed a contract with the Nerazzurri until June 30, 2027.

“He will be supported by Stefano Citterio (assistant coach), Federico Peluso (technical assistant), Fabio Corabi (fitness coach), Nicola Riva (assistant fitness coach), Andrea Ramponi (match analyst), and Mattia Casella (match analyst).”

Former Juventus Winger Takes Charge in Bergamo

Palladino began his coaching career with Monza’s youth academy, initially managing the U-15 side before progressing to the Primavera team. 

His impressive work with the youth setup earned him a promotion to first-team manager in 2022 following the dismissal of Giovanni Stroppa.

He made an immediate impact, leading Monza to their first-ever Serie A victory — a historic 1–0 win over Juventus. 

Palladino went on to secure Monza’s top-flight status in both the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons, earning praise for his tactical awareness and composure under pressure.

In the 2024–25 campaign, Palladino took charge of Fiorentina, where he again demonstrated his managerial ability. 

Under his guidance, the club finished sixth in Serie A and reached the semifinals of the UEFA Conference League before being eliminated by Real Betis.

By the end of the season, Palladino and Fiorentina parted ways after what was widely regarded as a successful tenure. 

Across his managerial career to date, he has recorded 51 wins and 35 draws in 126 matches, showcasing his consistency and adaptability.

Juric’s Struggles with Atalanta

The 3–0 loss to Sassuolo epitomized Atalanta’s decline under Juric. The team managed just one victory in their last nine matches across all competitions, including six winless outings in Serie A.

Their primary issue was a lack of attacking efficiency, with only four goals scored in their previous seven league matches.

This disappointing stretch left Atalanta nine points adrift of the top four and just six points above the relegation zone. 

Reports suggested that Juric struggled to inspire his players, many of whom appeared disinterested and lacking motivation during the defeat to Sassuolo.

Tensions in the dressing room further worsened the situation, with key players such as Ademola Lookman and Marco Carnesecchi reportedly falling out with the coach. 

The atmosphere reflected one of the club’s most challenging periods in over a decade, a stark contrast to the high standards established during Gian Piero Gasperini’s tenure.

The Road Ahead for Atalanta

Palladino will use the upcoming international break to conduct a thorough evaluation of his new squad, assessing both its strengths and weaknesses. 

Adopting a tactical philosophy reminiscent of Gian Piero Gasperini — the architect of Atalanta’s modern success — Palladino aims to maximize the potential of the current Nerazzurri roster.

One player expected to benefit from Palladino’s arrival is United States international midfielder Yunus Musah. 

Currently on loan from AC Milan, Musah hopes the new coaching environment will help him rediscover his best form and reclaim his place in the USMNT after being left out of Mauricio Pochettino’s recent selections.