Cristiano Giuntoli has been officially presented as the new sporting director of Atalanta, though he had begun work with the club several weeks prior. The appointment was announced at a press conference where Giuntoli outlined his vision for the club and addressed several key issues. His first transfer as director has been the acquisition of Gianluca Gaetano from Cagliari.
Giuntoli expressed his honor at joining Atalanta, praising the ownership group and president Luca Percassi. He highlighted the club’s strong youth system and commitment to sustainability, qualities that align with his own footballing philosophy. He spoke of a swift decision to accept the role, feeling immediately welcomed by the club’s structure.
The former Juventus director also discussed his reunion with head coach Maurizio Sarri, stating his belief in Sarri’s clear identity and playing style. Giuntoli affirmed his confidence in the current strength of the Atalanta squad, both in terms of numbers and quality, while also acknowledging the potential within the club’s youth ranks. He confirmed satisfaction with the signing of Gaetano, emphasizing Atalanta’s continued focus on identifying market opportunities.
Giuntoli addressed the recent transfer of Marco Palestra to Chelsea, stating that all parties were aware of the situation and that the move represented an opportunity for the young player to represent Italy at a major club. He also clarified the situation surrounding goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi, confirming he will remain at Atalanta and be the team’s starting goalkeeper.
Regarding Ederson, who was previously linked with Manchester United, Giuntoli stated that the club was surprised by the breakdown of the transfer due to failed medical examinations. He revealed that Atalanta has offered the player a contract renewal, despite reported interest from Juventus and Milan. Giuntoli concluded by emphasizing the importance of maintaining a humble approach and focusing on hard work, mirroring the values that have defined Atalanta’s success in recent years.
