Gian Piero Gasperini confirmed on Saturday he will leave Atalanta. This is after nine hugely successful years ahead of an expected move to rivals Roma.
Gasperini, 67, departs after turning the Bergamo club from provincial also-rans in the shadow of the Milan giants down the road to one of Italy’s best teams and even Europa League winners last year.
“In the last few hours I have decided to put an end to a wonderful nine-year-long story… I’m ending my experience in Bergamo as head coach of Atalanta,”Gasperini said in an open letter written to newspaper L’Eco di Bergamo.
“I decided to end my relationship with the club, and no responsibility should be put upon the club or its directors. I’ve simply come to understand that the time has come to take this step.”
Atalanta finished third in Serie A this past season and secured Champions League football. They have two matches left to play after falling short with an ambitious bid for the club’s first league title.
Gasperini is set to join Roma on a three-year contract with a net salary of five million euros (£4.2m).
Roma last qualified for the Champions League in 2017. They missed out in a spot in Europe’s top club competition on the final day of the campaign last weekend.
Ranieri came out of retirement in November to save Roma from sliding into relegation. He also guided them to fifth and a place in the Europa League.
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