Cristiano Giuntoli has been appointed as the new director of Atalanta, the club confirmed on Wednesday. The move comes exactly one year after Giuntoli departed Juventus, having previously agreed to a mutual termination of his five-year contract with the Turin club. His appointment marks a return to Serie A for the experienced football executive.
Giuntoli’s departure from Juventus followed a somewhat underwhelming two-year spell where, despite consistently achieving a fourth-place finish, the club ultimately fell short of expectations in the most recent season, finishing sixth and missing out on Champions League qualification. He had initially joined Juventus in July 2023, leaving Napoli after a highly successful period where he played a key role in building the squad that won the Scudetto.
Prior to joining Juventus, Giuntoli was instrumental in Napoli’s rise under owner Aurelio De Laurentiis, overseeing the recruitment of players that formed the core of their title-winning team. His time at Napoli established him as one of Italy’s most highly-regarded directors, known for his shrewd transfer dealings and ability to identify promising talent. He is now tasked with continuing the successful project at Atalanta, working alongside manager Gian Piero Gasperini.
Atalanta have consistently been a competitive force in Serie A, known for their attacking style and development of young players. The appointment of Giuntoli suggests the club is aiming to build on this foundation and potentially challenge for even greater honours. The club has already secured Ederson, indicating Giuntoli’s immediate involvement in shaping the squad for the upcoming season. This appointment signals a clear ambition from Atalanta to reinforce their position as a top team in Italian football and compete on multiple fronts.
