Maurizio Sarri Takes the Helm as Atalanta’s New Head Coach

Maurizio Sarri has been officially presented as Atalanta’s new head coach, and the Italian revealed he needed no persuading to take charge in Bergamo.

With quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, Sarri addressed the press and supporters for the first time and was immediately struck by his new surroundings.

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“I found impressive facilities, just like the people who work here,” he said. “As soon as they contacted me, I didn’t hesitate for a moment to accept.”

The former Napoli, Juventus, and Lazio boss set the bar for the season ahead without overpromising.

“I expect an important season. The means to do well are there, but we have to work,” he said. “My director knows how I think about football and the characteristics of players for my game, then it’s true that Atalanta have their own philosophy. The quality in the squad is there; as for the market, we’ll see.”

FLORENCE, ITALY – APRIL 13: Maurizio Sarri manager of SS Lazio looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SS Lazio at Artemio Franchi on April 13, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

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The tactical reshaping towards Sarri’s favoured 4-3-3 is already under way.

“We’re trying Samardzic in a new position. Then I think of Raspadori, who is a player I wanted to coach at Lazio too,” he explained.

“I also think Atalanta have two important centre-forwards in Krstovic and Scamacca. When we’re at full strength we’ll have a slightly clearer picture.”

Sarri also reserved warm words for the club’s swoop for Gianluca Gaetano.

“It was a great gift from the director,” he said. “Overall, the season will be long, and there will also be alternatives in terms of formation, like the 4-2-3-1. We’ll see.”

The appointment hands Atalanta one of Italian football’s most distinctive coaching voices for the post-Gasperini era, and the early signs suggest a squad being remoulded quickly in his image.