Atalanta, Gasperini surprise: “I was ready to leave”

Gian Piero Gasperini surprise

Atalanta’s last year has not been as positive as the past ones have been. There are several reasons for this, according to Gasperini the failure to acquire important players was influential: “New energy would have helped. A champion would have brought new enthusiasm and stimulated competitiveness. We stayed the same for too long. Toloi, De Roon, Freuler, Djimsiti have been there since before I arrived. My clashes on the subject of the market have always stemmed from the same need: not to stand still.”

“If I am still here, it is because of the strong bond with the city,” he continued to Gazzetta dello Sport. “During the last match with Empoli, I felt strongly the people’s request: ‘Stay in Bergamo.’ This conditioned the choices, because I was really ready to leave if the club wanted. This affection and trust held me back. My commitment will be multiplied to reciprocate.”

He closed on his relationship with society: “Esteem and gratitude will never be lacking. I even told them, ‘Maybe I am the one who has to leave,’ but they absolutely would not accept the solution. Now we are united by the momentum to start again. The entry of the American investors for me was to a great emotion, for them a fantastic opportunity. To have made Atalanta known in the world, all the way to Boston, thanks to the team, was a fantastic path.”