Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi has indicated the club is open to a significant restructuring of its football operations, potentially including the appointment of Cristiano Giuntoli as the new sporting director. Percassi’s comments, made to Sky Sport at the “Gianni Di Marzio” award ceremony, suggest a possible departure for current director Tony D’Amico, while the futures of manager Raffaele Palladino and key player Éderson remain under discussion.
The speculation surrounding Giuntoli, currently with Juventus, has been building in recent weeks. Percassi stated, “We’ll see if the marriage can happen. If so, we would be very happy,” confirming the club’s interest in the experienced executive. He praised Giuntoli as “one of the best directors in Italian football, who trained in the lower categories,” acknowledging that numerous clubs are vying for his services. This potential arrival casts doubt on the position of D’Amico, who has been with Atalanta for a successful period.
Percassi was quick to acknowledge his strong personal relationship with D’Amico, praising his contributions to the club’s recent achievements. However, he also noted a potential plateau in results. “With D’Amico, Atalanta has finished fifth, fourth, third, and this year will most likely be seventh,” he said. “Like many of our players, it’s normal that he could be courted. There are two games left, our relationship could also end, but the esteem we have for him will not end. If that happens, we will try to find a replacement worthy of the role.”
Regarding the managerial position, Percassi stated that any decisions regarding Raffaele Palladino will be made after the conclusion of the season. He also confirmed that there have been no concrete offers for Éderson, despite reported interest from other clubs. “We have no official offers, only interest from other teams,” Percassi explained, adding that valuations will be assessed at the end of the campaign. “Interest in our players is normal, but we will evaluate it at the appropriate time.”
The potential appointment of Giuntoli signals Atalanta’s ambition to maintain its position as a competitive force in Serie A, building on recent successes while potentially refreshing its approach to player recruitment and development. The club will need to navigate these changes carefully to ensure a smooth transition and continued progress.
