Gian Piero Gasperini has been head coach of Atalanta Bergamo since 2016. It has been an era that has seen the club through defeats but also great successes. Now he has bid farewell to the fans and the city.
Gian Piero Gasperini has been the face of Atalanta Bergamo for the past nine years, accompanying the club through highs and lows since 2016 and shaping an era at the Italian club. Now, the 67-year-old has bid farewell to Atalanta fans in an open letter published in the Italian newspaper L’Eco di Bergamo.
“It was impossible to put into words before, because it was only in the last few hours that I really decided to bring this wonderful nine-year story to an end,” begins the Italian, who shaped the club into one of international stature and celebrated its greatest success in 2024 with victory in the Europa League against Bayer 04 Leverkusen. He also reached the Coppa Italia final three times with Atalanta, but never managed to lift the trophy.
“But let’s not talk about goodbye. I don’t like it,” Gasperini continues in nostalgic words. “I am ending my experience in Bergamo as Atalanta coach, everything else will remain unchanged.”
Gasperini made the decision himself
The coach, who has been on the sidelines in Bergamo for over 400 games, has left his future open. Nevertheless, he is leaving the club “for the need for new impetus, for the trust placed in me and for the new enthusiasm that this brings.” These are telling words, considering that a move to AS Roma is said to be all but certain. Claudio Ranieri announced the end of his coaching career there, leaving the position vacant.
Gasperini nevertheless wants to remain connected to the city and the fans. That is one of the reasons why he ends his farewell with the words: “I am an honorary citizen of Bergamo and I swear that I will uphold the values of this city everywhere and forever. See you again in Piazza Pontida, I promise!”