Gasperini in talks over Atalanta extension despite Champions League warning
Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is meeting with the club's senior management on Tuesday to discuss his future in Bergamo, despite his recent warning that qualification for the Champions League 'will be complicated'.
Gasperini is still under contract with Atalanta until the summer of 2026, but has dropped several hints over the 2024-25 season that his time with La Dea could be coming to an end.
Advertisement
'At the end of the season, we'll see whether to let the contract run out or stop earlier,' Gasperini said in February, while CEO Luca Percassi added that the club will 'respect his decision' either way.
Despite previous hints of a possible Atalanta farewell, and links with a move to take over from Cladio Ranieri as head coach of Roma, Gasperini is discussing his future with Percassi, along with co-chair Stephan Pagliuca and sporting director Tony D'Amico on Tuesday.
Gasperini in decisive meeting over Atalanta future
BERGAMO, ITALY – APRIL 27: Atalanta BC coach Gian Piero Gasperini looks on befor during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and US Lecce at Gewiss Stadium on April 27, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by)
Reports from Calciomercato.com claim that the Atalanta management have offered Gasperini the chance to extend his contract for a further 12 months until the summer of 2027, which would give him two years of contract from the start of the 2025-26 season.
Advertisement
Tuesday's reports claim that the Atalanta executives will need to provide Gasperini with certain guarantees, particularly on the transfer market, if they are to convince him to stay and extend his contract.
Gasperini has recently warned that: 'For the first time in nine years, I feel that it will be very difficult to repeat ourselves.
'A result that might seem normal, like qualifying for the Champions League, will be complicated. And this is something we need to discuss,' the head coach warned.
Calciomercato claims that Gasperini is aware of the fact that Atalanta may have to let go of some of their key players during the summer transfer window, including Brazil international Ederson, the reigning African Player of the Year Ademola Lookman and even potentially 2024-25 Capocannoniere Mateo Retegui.
epa12094854 Atalanta's Ademola Lookman scores the 1-0 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Atalanta BC and AS Roma, in Bergamo, Italy, 12 May 2025. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA
There are also concerns about the defensive department for next season given the long-term absences of Giorgio Scalvini and Sead Kolasinac, the farewell to Rafael Toloi and the possibility that the buy options in loan deals for Odilon Kossounou and Stefan Posch are not activated.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
FC Barcelona Coach Flick Chooses Surprise Transfer Target
FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has picked a surprising player as a potential transfer target ... More this summer according to Mundo Deportivo, which cited anonymous sources. FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has picked a surprising player as a potential transfer target this summer according to Mundo Deportivo, which cited anonymous sources. The German is the man of the hour in Catalonia after leading Barca to an impressive domestic treble in his maiden term. Had the Catalans managed to hold on for a few more minutes at the San Siro with a 3-2 lead, after trailing by two goals, he would have also taken them to a first Champions League final since 2015. That wasn't to be, as Inter Milan equalized in the 93rd minute and then scored in extra time to secure a 4-3 win on the night and dramatic 7-6 aggregate victory as part of what many called the best UCL last four tie of all time. Reacting to the loss, and the amount of goals conceded against an outfit that didn't manage to put a single strike past Paris Saint-Germain in a 5-0 thrashing that was the European competition's final, Barca is already closing in on a goalkeeper talked up as potentially world class in Joan Garcia. On Wednesday, the 24-year-old's controversial switch from crosstown rival Espanyol to don Blaugrana should be completed by depositing his $28.5 million (€25 million) release clause, which could turn out to be a bargain in the long run. After that deal has been wrapped up and announced, Barca will then move on to trying to buy an attacker that is capable of playing primarily on the left wing and other positions across the frontline. Top targets in that respect are Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, who Flick gave his thumbs up to in January, and Liverpool's Luis Diaz. On Tuesday night, though, Mundo Deportivo reported that Flick has highlighted another potential signing that is 'not incompatible' with a Colombian international in Luis Diaz who is now an 'absolute priority' according to the newspaper. That's none other than Ivan Perisic, with whom Flick won the Champions League in 2020 and is fancied to strengthen Barca's attack 'due to his versatility and experience'. Unlike Diaz, who is expected to cost at least $97 million (€85 million) to buy from a Premier League giant that has lost Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid but is expected to sign German wonderkid Florian Wirtz, Perisic would cost nothing. The 36-year-old, who has just won the Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, also wouldn't have high salary demands and wants to continue competing at the highest level to arrive at the World Cup in peak shape next year. It goes without saying that born winner Perisic would give FC Barcelona more options moving forward. Not only able to give the likes of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha a rest when needed, he would be sure to become a fan favourite for his work rate and intensity.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Brazil, Ecuador book World Cup berths, Uruguay on brink
Brazil forward Vinicius Jr celebrates after scoring the goal that fired the five-time world champions into next year's World Cup finals (Miguel Schincariol) Brazil booked their place at the 2026 World Cup in North America on Tuesday with a lackluster 1-0 home victory over Paraguay, the first win of Carlo Ancelotti's reign. The five-time world champions punched their ticket to the finals in Canada, the United States and Mexico thanks to Vinicius Jr. Advertisement The Real Madrid star poked in from close range in the 44th minute in Sao Paulo after a cross from new Manchester United signing Matheus Cunha. It was the perfect gift for the Italian Ancelotti on his 66th birthday, having seen his new side held 0-0 by Ecuador last week in his first game as coach. Former Real Madrid boss Ancelotti praised his team's "commitment" and "attitude". "It was a good match with a very good first half, although obviously we suffered a bit because Paraguay are very solid opponents and we slowed down a bit in the second," he said. Uruguay's 2-0 win over Venezuela in Montevideo had raised the prospect of qualification for both Brazil and Paraguay at Corinthians Arena. Advertisement Paraguay needed only a point to qualify while Brazil knew they could advance with a win. In the event it was Brazil who seized the opportunity presented by Venezuela's loss with Vinicius scoring the only goal just before half-time. Brazil had struggled to create many chances up until that point, with Cunha squandering a golden chance in the 35th minute after heading wide from point-blank range. Cunha made up for it with a key part in the goal, capitalizing on good work from Raphinha to dart into the box and whip in a low cross for Vinicius, who stabbed home the finish. The win lifted Brazil into third place in the South American standings with 25 points from 16 games, guaranteeing them a top-six finish and an automatic qualifying berth. Advertisement Looking ahead to next summer, Ancelotti said he had "a very long list" of 70 players in mind, including Neymar, who was missing with injury. He added: "I really liked those who were with me in this squad for their commitment, their attitude, and the atmosphere." The defeat left Paraguay with 24 points, meaning they need one point to secure their first World Cup appearance since 2010. - Ecuador book place - Surprise package Ecuador joined Brazil by sealing qualification with a point following a 0-0 draw with Peru in Lima. In other games, Uruguay edged closer to qualification with their win over Venezuela while Chile were eliminated with defeat to Bolivia. Advertisement Goals from Rodrigo Aguirre and Giorgian de Arrascaeta secured all three points for Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay to leave the two-time world champions firmly on course for a place in next year's finals. Like Paraguay, Uruguay need only a point from their final two games to qualify. Venezuela, who are bidding to reach the World Cup for the first time in the nation's history, are seventh with 18 points from 16 games. Argentina, who have already qualified, came from behind to frustrate Colombia with a 1-1 draw in Buenos Aires. Liverpool star Luis Diaz fired Colombia into the lead with a superb 24th minute goal, and the Colombians were given a further boost midway through the second half when the world champions were reduced to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez's dismissal. Advertisement But Colombia's hopes of a vital win were dashed nine minutes from time when Thiago Almada weaved into the box and found the target to level. The top six finishers in South America qualify automatically for the World Cup, with the seventh-placed team advancing to an intercontinental playoff. Bolivia defeated Chile 2-0 to end the former South American champions' hopes of qualification. It is the third straight World Cup that Chile have missed out on. The loss continues a dramatic fall from grace for "La Roja", who won back-to-back Copa Americas in 2015 and 2016. bur-rcw-pst/mtp
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
A step too far? New Club World Cup set to have far-reaching impact on football
UEFA Champions League finalists Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan will be among the sides taking part in the Club World Cup (Marco BERTORELLO) FIFA's expanded Club World Cup which gets underway in the United States this weekend is a controversial addition to the global football calendar and one that could have a far-reaching impact on the sport in the years to come. The 32-team tournament, with one billion dollars in prize money on offer, has been crammed into an already overloaded schedule leading to concerns it will push elite players to breaking point. Advertisement It also threatens to upset the balance of domestic and continental club competitions, giving competing teams huge financial advantages over rivals. Consider the leading clubs in Europe, which is sending 12 teams including Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea. The chances are high that some will go deep into the Club World Cup, with a maximum of seven games to be played up to the July 13 final. The riches on offer are extraordinary, up to a possible $125 million for the top-performing European team. "The Club World Cup model affects the ecosystem of national leagues, especially in Europe," Javier Tebas, the president of Spain's La Liga, told radio station Cadena Cope. Advertisement But while the likes of Liverpool and Barcelona will not be in the United States and so will miss out on the cash prizes, they will be able to give players a much-needed rest. "I think it will have a huge impact and it will give Liverpool and Arsenal a huge advantage in the next season to not be there," said England manager Thomas Tuchel when asked about the consequences for the Premier League. - Lavish sums - Those clubs are already among the world's wealthiest without taking into account the sums being lavished by FIFA, but what about teams elsewhere. It will become harder for clubs in South Africa to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns once they leave with a guaranteed minimum of almost $10 million -- the equivalent of the prize money for winning nine domestic titles. Advertisement The amateurs of Auckland City already dominate in Oceania before being handed over $3.5 million just as an appearance fee. But if taking part here will be perhaps the ultimate career highlight for their players, it just adds to the demands on those at top clubs. The introduction of the competition was met with opposition in Europe, and global players union FIFPro has warned that the wellbeing of many of its members is being threatened by the huge workload they face. - Too many games? - Portugal midfielder Vitinha has played 52 matches for PSG this season, including the Champions League final win over Inter Milan on May 31. Advertisement There have also been eight games for Portugal, including the Nations League finals last week. Now he is off to the United States with PSG, with potentially no holiday until mid-July. The next French season is then due to start in mid-August, at the same time as the Premier League and La Liga. And at the end of next season Vitinha should be back in North America with Portugal at the expanded 48-team World Cup. Such demands on leading stars are why player unions in Europe last year raised the threat of strike action in a bid to cut down on the number of matches. "The problem is the accumulation of excessively long and intense seasons back to back," said Maheta Molango, chief executive of England's Professional Footballers' Association. Advertisement "Players don't think just about the summer, they think about how they are not going to have a holiday for the foreseeable future." Meanwhile, domestic leagues do not see why they should change to accommodate FIFA's new tournament. "International organisations and especially FIFA have increased the number of matches they organise, so now we have a calendar that is beyond saturation," said Mathieu Moreuil of the Premier League. Other competitions are being devalued because the Club World Cup is taking place at the same time, like the CONCACAF Gold Cup, also being played in the United States. Advertisement USA coach Mauricio Pochettino is unable to call on leading players like Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah because they are at the Club World Cup with Juventus. "That is the circumstance that we have and we need to adapt," said Pochettino, the former PSG coach who may disagree with the view of Luis Enrique, currently in charge of the French side. "I think it is an incredible competition," he remarked looking ahead to the Club World Cup. as/jc
