That phrase that had intrigued everyone – and even outraged some a little – was actually a precise and clear clue but had not been understood. When Gian Piero Gasperini, with the Europa League cup still in hand, he spoke about his future saying: “It’s like meeting a beautiful woman who woos you and you have a wife and children” meant exactly the opposite of how it was interpreted. That is, that he would remain faithful to the family despite the strong temptation. The Bergamo coach made it official today that he will remain at Atalanta, as revealed by Corriere dello Sport. No Napoli which is now turning strongly towards Conte.
Gasperini remains in Bergamo
That he was tempted to leave was still true. Some of his words had betrayed the doubt (“it would be the best time to leave, as a winner”) but in the end, Gasperini was unable to “betray” a city that has loved him for years. The beautiful woman who tempted him was Napoli, with De Laurentiis who wanted him in blue years ago.
The precedent with De Laurentiis in Naples
At the time, Gasperini had also signed a contract with the Italian club when it seemed that Mazzarri would have to leave (Juventus had sought him out) but the Livorno coach backtracked and agreed to stay for the fourth year in a row in Naples and Adl tore up that contract with Gasperini. It’s possible that Gasp has it on his finger, just as it’s true that other clubs were also interested in him. Both in Serie A and above all abroad. In the Premier League he continues to have many admirers: they like his technical football and determination but it will remain the prerogative of Bergamo.
Why Gasperini stays at Atalanta
For the Corriere dello sport that of Gasperini is a heartfelt choice. But not only. The Gasp man decided to stay in Bergamo out of love for the club and the fans, but the decision made today is also the result of professional reasoning. Gasperini will be played, in addition to the European Super Cupalso there Champions League with Atalanta. Not only that: with the investments which evidently Percassi he can guarantee, taking the confirmation of the big names for granted, he can aspire to something truly important in the championship. Not to mention that today’s Napoli is decidedly less attractive than in the past, with a team that is demobilizing and without either the Champions League or Europa League. Gasperini evidently believes that the time has not yet come to write the final word on Bergamo
Napoli is now all-in on Conte
And De Laurentiis? The Gasperini option fell Napoli now wants to play all its cards with Conte. In the Neapolitan president’s wallet there is the former Inter player in pole position over Pioli and Italiano. According to what La Repubblica writes, the Lecce coach’s requests would not be impossible. The former national team coach would only come on his own economic terms (7 million salary plus bonus) and to get him the blue club must consequently resign themselves to making an effort. Conte, on the other hand, would not have very high demands on the market and it is no coincidence that the very first names on the list are him Dorgu (Lecce) and Musah (Milan): nothing but top players. In place of Osimhen Conversely, the striker could arrive from Chelsea Romelu Lukaku, with the less expensive formula of the loan with the right – or obligation – of redemption.
