Atalanta have dismissed head coach Ivan Juric after a disappointing start to the 2025–26 Serie A season. The decision came on the heels of a heavy 3–0 home defeat to newly promoted Sassuolo, a result that left the club’s leadership with little choice but to act. Juric’s dismissal ends a brief and turbulent spell in charge, only four months after he replaced long-serving manager Gian Piero Gasperini.
When Juric arrived in Bergamo over the summer, there was optimism that he could build on Gasperini’s legacy and sustain Atalanta’s reputation as one of Italy’s most dynamic and fearless sides. Instead, the team struggled to find form or identity. After eleven matches, Atalanta sit in thirteenth place with just two victories and a growing sense of frustration among fans and players alike.
The early weeks of the campaign were defined by inconsistency. Atalanta managed six consecutive draws but failed to turn those efforts into meaningful momentum. Their last two matches, both defeats, exposed deeper problems within the squad. The defense appeared fragile, the attack lacked rhythm, and the pressing style Juric was known for never seemed to take hold. Supporters who had grown used to seeing Atalanta challenge for European qualification were left disillusioned by a team that appeared devoid of confidence.
In an official statement released on Monday, the club confirmed the Croatian’s departure, along with several members of his backroom staff. “Atalanta BC announces that Ivan Juric has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the first team,” the statement read. “The club also confirms that Matteo Paro, Miguel Veloso, Pablo Barbero, Stjepan Ostojic, and Michele Orecchio will leave their roles. Atalanta thanks Ivan Juric and his staff for their commitment and professionalism and wishes them success in the future.”
Behind the scenes, the club’s patience had already begun to wear thin. According to reports, Juric had been informed that the outcome of two key fixtures would determine his future: the Champions League encounter against Marseille and the Serie A match against Sassuolo. Atalanta managed a spirited win over Marseille, yet the result was overshadowed by Juric’s heated exchange with Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman on the touchline. The incident drew criticism from Italian pundits, who suggested that the coach’s temperament was beginning to affect morale within the squad.
By the time Sassuolo arrived in Bergamo, the pressure was immense. The newly promoted side dominated the match, exposing Atalanta’s tactical flaws and leaving the home crowd stunned. The 3–0 loss not only underlined the team’s struggles but also confirmed that Juric’s tenure had reached its end. Within twenty-four hours, the club made his dismissal official.
Juric’s brief reign at Atalanta will likely be remembered as a failed experiment – an attempt to rejuvenate a team that had thrived for years under a different philosophy. Though he arrived with a reputation for organization and intensity, his methods never seemed to resonate with the players. The team looked disconnected, and performances on the pitch reflected that growing divide.
Attention now turns to Juric’s likely successor. Reports in Italy indicate that Raffaele Palladino, the former Monza and Fiorentina manager, is the leading candidate to take over. Palladino, still only forty-one, has built a reputation for tactical versatility and developing young players, qualities that align with Atalanta’s vision for the future. Negotiations are believed to be at an advanced stage, with a contract expected to run until 2027.
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