Atalanta have sacked Ivan Jurić after just 15 matches, with the Croatian coach winning only two Serie A games and leaving the club in 13th place—11 points behind leaders Inter Milan. The final straw came with a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to newly-promoted Sassuolo, capping an eight-game winless streak that made his position untenable. Raffaele Palladino is set to replace him on a contract until 2027, tasked with salvaging a season that has descended from European ambition to mid-table crisis.
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The Numbers That Sealed Jurić’s Fate
Jurić’s tenure lasted just 15 matches across all competitions, yielding a meager four victories, eight draws, and three defeats. In Serie A specifically, those statistics become even more damning—just two league wins from 11 matches left Atalanta languishing in 13th place, a position unthinkable for a club that finished third last season.
| Competition | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Points per Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serie A | 11 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 1.18 |
| Champions League | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1.50 |
| Total | 15 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 1.33 |
The run of form that ultimately condemned Jurić was particularly alarming. Atalanta endured seven consecutive league games without victory, their longest winless streak since August to October 2018. Six consecutive draws were followed by back-to-back defeats, creating an atmosphere of frustration and stagnation around the New Balance Arena.
What made these results even more troubling was the nature of the performances. The club hoped the new coach would revive expensive signings like Nikola Krstović, who had given little satisfaction. Despite Atalanta creating a chances advantage in most matches, they struggled to convert opportunities, leaving fans wondering if tactical confusion or mental fragility was to blame.
The Impossible Shadow of Gasperini
To understand Jurić’s failure at Atalanta requires understanding the legacy he was tasked with continuing. Gian Piero Gasperini’s nine-year tenure stands as one of the most transformative managerial reigns in modern Italian football, with the crowning achievement coming in 2024 when Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 to win the UEFA Europa League—the club’s first major European trophy.
Gasperini didn’t just win matches; he revolutionized Atalanta’s identity, transforming them from a provincial club into a Champions League regular. By the time he departed for Roma in June 2025, he had secured five Champions League qualifications and two Serie A Coach of the Year awards.
Jurić was chosen precisely because he was one of Gasperini’s proteges, someone who supposedly understood the attacking principles and high-energy style that had become synonymous with Atalanta. Instead, the team appeared tactically disoriented and emotionally flat compared to the high-energy sides of the Gasperini years.
The disconnect between expectation and reality became impossible to ignore. Where Gasperini’s Atalanta were fearless and relentless, Jurić’s side seemed tentative and predictable, unable to recapture the attacking spark that once made them one of Europe’s most exciting teams.
A Pattern of Failure
For Jurić personally, the Atalanta dismissal represents the third managerial casualty in just over a year—a remarkable collapse for a coach once considered one of Italy’s brightest tactical minds.
Jurić’s Coaching Record (Last 12 Months)
| Club | Period | Matches | W-D-L | Win % | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roma | Sept-Nov 2024 | 12 | 4-3-5 | 33.3% | Sacked Nov 10, 2024 |
| Southampton | Dec 2024-April 2025 | 16 | 2-1-13 | 12.5% | Resigned after relegation |
| Atalanta | June-Nov 2025 | 15 | 4-8-3 | 26.7% | Sacked Nov 10, 2025 |
November 10 is proving to be an unlucky date for Jurić—exactly one year after being sacked by Roma, history repeated itself at Atalanta. Between those dismissals came a disastrous spell at Southampton, where he managed just two wins from 16 matches and stepped down when the Saints became the earliest team to ever suffer Premier League relegation in early April.
The Southampton experience was particularly damaging. Jurić’s 0.44 points per game average across 16 matches was historically weak for Saints managers with more than ten matches. His only victories came against Ipswich, who would also be relegated, and second-division Swansea in the FA Cup—hardly the resume of a manager ready to lead a top European club.
Enter Raffaele Palladino
Atalanta are finalizing talks with Raffaele Palladino, who is expected to sign a contract until 2027. The 41-year-old former midfielder brings fresh energy and a proven track record of developing attacking football at smaller clubs—exactly what Atalanta desperately need.
Palladino’s coaching journey has been marked by steady progression and tactical innovation. At Monza, he earned promotion to Serie A and kept them competitive against wealthier opponents. At Fiorentina, he guided the club to sixth place in the 2024/25 Serie A campaign and qualification for the UEFA Conference League.
What makes Palladino particularly suitable for Atalanta is his tactical philosophy. His teams are characterized by aggressive transitions, width through dynamic wing-backs, and a preference for formations like the 3-4-2-1—all features that align with Atalanta’s footballing DNA. These principles mirror what made Gasperini’s Atalanta so successful, suggesting Palladino can restore the club’s identity without attempting a dramatic reinvention.
Additionally, his assistant manager Federico Peluso is a former Atalanta player, providing valuable institutional knowledge and connections within the squad. While the Percassi family also appreciated Roberto Mancini, the ex-Italy coach was never a genuine candidate.
The Challenge Ahead
Palladino inherits a squad in crisis, sitting 13th in the Serie A standings with just 13 points—a staggering 11 points behind leaders Inter Milan after only 11 games. The gap to European qualification spots grows wider by the week, transforming what should be a season of consolidation into one of potential embarrassment.
The immediate fixture list offers little respite. Atalanta face reigning champions Napoli on November 22 after the international break, a match that could either signal a fresh start or deepen the crisis. Antonio Conte’s Napoli are flying high, making this a daunting first assignment for any new manager.
Beyond tactical adjustments, Palladino must address deeper psychological issues. Restoring the attacking spark of players like Gianluca Scamacca, Ademola Lookman, and Teun Koopmeiners will be essential if Atalanta are to climb back into European contention. The confidence that once defined this squad has evaporated, replaced by the anxiety that comes from watching leads slip away and chances go begging.
The Champions League offers a potential bright spot—Atalanta currently occupy 16th place in the 36-team table, still within reach of the knockout stages. Success in Europe could provide the momentum needed to salvage the domestic campaign, but only if Palladino can quickly instill belief and tactical coherence.
A Necessary Reset
The dismissal of Ivan Jurić closes one of the most disappointing chapters in recent Atalanta history. What began with optimism about continuity and evolution descended into confusion and regression, leaving the club searching for answers in the bottom half of the table.
For Jurić, this represents yet another failure in a year that has seen his reputation severely damaged. For Atalanta, it marks the beginning of what must be a careful rebuild—not of the squad, which remains talented, but of the mentality and style that made them one of Europe’s most respected clubs.
Raffaele Palladino arrives with the tactical acumen and attacking philosophy to restore Atalanta’s identity. The question is whether he can do so quickly enough to prevent this season from becoming a complete write-off. With European qualification slipping away and confidence at rock bottom, the pressure could hardly be greater.
The Palladino era begins now. For Atalanta’s sake, it must begin with victories—and quickly.
FAQs
Why was Ivan Jurić sacked by Atalanta?
Jurić was dismissed after winning just two Serie A matches in 11 games, leaving Atalanta in 13th place. The final straw was a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to newly-promoted Sassuolo, following a run of eight consecutive league games without victory.
Who is Raffaele Palladino?
Palladino is a 41-year-old Italian coach who previously managed Monza and Fiorentina. Known for attacking football with dynamic wing-backs and aggressive transitions, he guided Fiorentina to sixth place and Conference League qualification last season.
How long was Ivan Jurić at Atalanta?
Jurić lasted just 15 matches across all competitions, spanning roughly five months from June to November 2025. He managed four wins, eight draws, and three defeats before being dismissed.
What went wrong with Atalanta this season?
Despite creating chances, Atalanta struggled to convert opportunities under Jurić. Expensive signings like Nikola Krstović failed to deliver, and the team lacked the attacking spark and tactical clarity that defined the Gasperini era.
When will Raffaele Palladino take charge?
Palladino is expected to sign a contract until June 2027 and take charge immediately. His first match will be against reigning champions Napoli on November 22, following the international break.
