Atalanta are reportedly considering a move for Bologna manager Thiago Motta as they evaluate the future of current head coach Raffaele Palladino. According to Italian media reports, the club's hierarchy is reflecting on a disappointing season that is likely to see the team miss out on European football, with Palladino's position, once seemingly secure, now under serious review.
The club faces the stark prospect of no European football next season for the first time in nine years. Atalanta are currently seventh in Serie A and were eliminated from the Coppa Italia semi-finals by Lazio last week. If Lazio wins the Coppa Italia, the sixth-place Serie A finisher would enter the Europa League, pushing seventh place into the Europa Conference League. However, with Como and Roma above them, Atalanta are at serious risk of missing out on continental competition entirely, a scenario the club's management had not anticipated given the strength of their squad.
This potential failure has placed Palladino under intense scrutiny. The former Monza coach took over from Gian Piero Gasperini in the summer and started strongly, but the team's league form has faltered, with only two wins in their last eight matches. While he masterminded impressive cup victories over Borussia Dortmund and Juventus in the Europa League, the consistent league form required to secure a top-six finish has not materialized, leaving the club's European fate dependent on other results.
The situation has led the ownership to explore alternatives, with Thiago Motta emerging as a primary candidate. The Italian-Brazilian coach has earned widespread acclaim for his work at Bologna, who are challenging for a Champions League place. While Motta's preference is understood to be for a move abroad, and he has recently taken an intensive English course, sources suggest an offer from a project like Atalanta's would be of interest. The Bergamo club's squad is seen as containing several players suited to Motta's tactical philosophy.
For Palladino, the final games of the season have become an unofficial audition. A strong finish could yet secure his position, but the previously assumed contract renewal is no longer a formality. The coming weeks will determine whether the club opts for continuity or seeks a new direction with a highly sought-after coach like Thiago Motta, as they plan for a season likely without the European revenue and prestige they have grown accustomed to.
