Atalanta: Sarri at Risk of Being Fired After the Debacle—Possible Replacements

Maurizio Sarri faces the possibility of being fired following his Atalanta team’s shocking defeat, a 3-0 loss to Parma in the late game of the 10th matchday of Serie A. The Nerazzurri suffered a crushing home loss, and Dea fans loudly booed the Bergamo team.

The situation in Bergamo was already tense following a poor start to the season, and now the pressure on Sarri has increased even further. According to Sky, the club is considering several replacements: among them is Stefano Pioli, currently without a team following his unsuccessful stint at Fiorentina, and former Juventus coaches Igor Tudor and Thiago Motta, both chosen by Cristiano Giuntoli for their experience with the Bianconeri.

At the moment, the club is taking its time, both because of the cost of potentially firing Sarri and because it would mark the third coaching change in just over a year following Gasperini’s departure, after Juric and Palladino.

After a goal by the Nerazzurri was disallowed in the 8th minute due to Zappacosta being offside on the shot that was then tapped in by Krstovic, Parma struck in the 41st minute with a header by Fabbian, who was completely unmarked on Sierro’s cross. Early in the second half, they doubled their lead in dramatic fashion: Zappacosta deflected Touré’s cross with his knee, catching Carnesecchi off guard. In the 58th minute, Lontani sealed the victory with a 3-0 lead after nutmegging Pasalic. The Croatian then hit the crossbar in the 79th minute, but Atalanta was unable to get back into the game.

The standings reflect the team’s current struggles: Atalanta sits in 13th place with 11 points, nine points behind the European spots. The defense is particularly concerning, having conceded 20 goals in ten games—the same as last-place Venezia. On social media, criticism has spared neither the coach nor the ownership: “Ever since the 0-1, we’ve known the players don’t want Sarri anymore… Just like last year with Juric against Sassuolo: it’s a repeat,” wrote one fan. Another asked: “Why didn’t they keep Palladino for another year?”