Cristiano Giuntoli has been officially announced as the new Sporting Director of Atalanta, signing a contract with the club that extends until 2029. The agreement was confirmed through a club statement released earlier today, bringing an end to Giuntoli’s time at Juventus and marking a return to a club with ambitions of challenging for Serie A’s top spots.
Giuntoli’s appointment is anticipated to be followed by the arrival of Maurizio Sarri as Atalanta’s new head coach, with an official announcement expected in the coming days. The pair previously worked together at Napoli, forging a successful partnership that culminated in a Serie A title win. Giuntoli’s arrival is seen as a significant coup for Atalanta, who are looking to build on their recent successes and establish themselves as a consistent force in Italian football.
Giuntoli began his career as a sporting director at the age of 36, initially with Spezia, before playing a key role in Carpi’s remarkable rise through the Italian football pyramid. He oversaw four promotions in five years with Carpi, leading them from Serie D to Serie A. His success at Carpi earned him a move to Napoli in 2015, where he spent eight years and oversaw a period of significant growth and achievement.
At Napoli, Giuntoli was instrumental in building the squad that won the Coppa Italia in 2019-20 and, more notably, secured the club’s first Serie A title in 33 years during the 2022-23 season under the management of Luciano Spalletti. He then joined Juventus in the summer of 2023 as Managing Director Football, winning the Coppa Italia in his first season, a victory that ironically came against Atalanta amid a heated touchline exchange involving Massimiliano Allegri. The club’s statement highlighted Giuntoli’s “capacity, competence and vision” and welcomed him to the club.
The Percassi family, Pagliuca, and the entire Atalanta club expressed their warm welcome to Giuntoli, wishing him success in his new role. This appointment signals a clear intent from Atalanta to invest in its sporting structure and compete at the highest level.
