A managerial exchange between Atalanta and Lazio is gaining momentum, with Maurizio Sarri poised to depart the Roman club and take charge of the Nerazzurri. Raffaele Palladino could move in the opposite direction, though negotiations between Lazio and the current Atalanta coach are at an earlier stage than those involving Sarri.
Atalanta are expected to finalize their managerial situation in the coming hours. While Palladino’s future appears to be away from Bergamo, a meeting is required to determine the terms of his departure, as he still has a year remaining on his contract. Simultaneously, the club is set to part ways with sporting director Tony D’Amico after four seasons, with Cristiano Giuntoli heavily favored to replace him. Giuntoli previously worked successfully with Sarri at Napoli, potentially reuniting the pair at Atalanta. The anticipated arrival of Sarri signals a potential shift in tactical approach for Atalanta, moving away from a three-man defense to a 4-3-3 formation.
Sarri’s departure from Lazio hinges on a meeting with club president Claudio Lotito. Both parties are reportedly willing to reach an agreement, though discussions are expected to be challenging. Sarri is even prepared to forgo some outstanding payments owed by the club to facilitate a swift resolution. A meeting between the two is scheduled imminently.
While Sarri’s move to Atalanta appears close to completion, Palladino’s transfer to Lazio is less certain. Palladino’s contract with Atalanta runs until 2027, and a formal resolution is yet to be discussed. Lazio president Lotito is also considering other candidates, including Dino Toppmoller, formerly of Eintracht Frankfurt, and Alessio Lisci, the current manager of Osasuna. Lisci, a Roman native, previously worked within Lazio’s youth system and would reportedly welcome a return to Italy. Sergio Conceicao and Rino Gattuso have also been linked, while the possibility of appointing Runjaic, currently under contract with Udinese, appears to be diminishing.
