Atalanta's Fresh Playbook: Baladino Takes the Helm as New Coach
11 November 2025
New coach appointed as Atalanta turn the page
In a move signaling a fresh start, Atalanta have officially named Rafael Baladino as their head coach until the summer of 2027. He inherits the role following the dismissal of Ivan Juric, who was relieved of his duties after seven league games without a victory, leaving the club sitting 13th in Serie A.
The final straw came the day after a 3-0 home defeat to Sassuolo, a setback that prompted the club to act. Baladino, 41, arrives with a proven track record at Monza and Fiorentina, where he guided the Viola to sixth place and a European Conference League semifinal before leaving recently in a surprising move.
Baladino’s first match in charge is expected to come against Napoli after the international break, a stern test to begin his tenure at the helm. His appointment also marks a transitional moment for Atalanta, who have been sliding in the table after two losses and five draws, leaving them 11 points adrift of Inter and Roma at the summit of the league.
Background, expectations and a changing of the guard
Historically, Atalanta’s coaching throne has been a moving target, with Giampiero Gasperini stepping away after nine successful seasons to Roma, making Juric the man tasked with steering the ship. Juric’s exit opened the door for Baladino, who arrives with a mandate to stabilize the team and spark a revival in both Italy’s top flight and their European campaign.
In Europe, Atalanta have posted two wins, one draw, and one defeat so far under Baladino’s soon-to-be-seen tenure, with their next Champions League group-stage test set for a clash against Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany. The Italian side will hope Baladino can translate his club success into a more consistent continental showing.
Meanwhile, Ademola Lookman’s standing with the club has deteriorated amid on-field frustrations and social media drama. The Nigerian forward unfollowed Atalanta on Instagram and deleted all posts related to the club after a heated moment during a recent Marseille match in the Champions League, a scene that underscored a growing rift within the squad.
The spat occurred when Juric substituted Lookman in the 75th minute for Musa, and Lookman’s visible displeasure sparked a broader discussion about relationships within the team. The coach later claimed the matter had cooled, insisting Lookman trained normally and that the issue with Marseille was closed. Whether the incident will permanently affect Lookman’s role remains to be seen, particularly as the market heats up for January moves.
Lookman’s season has been a mixed bag: 10 appearances so far (7 in the league, 3 in Europe) with a single goal in a draw against Milan. The summer transfer window also loomed large, with Inter considering Lookman, but Atalanta’s reluctance to reveal a price reportedly stalled potential moves, even as interest from major clubs persisted. Lookman’s future remains an open question as January approaches and the team continues to navigate internal tensions and a changing tactical setup.
In context, Lookman first joined Atalanta in 2022 from RB Leipzig for a reported 10.8 million euros. Since then he has appeared 127 times for the club, scoring 53 goals and providing 25 assists, including a memorable hat-trick that helped the team win a major European trophy in a dramatic final against Bayer Leverkusen. As the season progresses, the club’s stability in domestic and European competitions could hinge on how Baladino reshapes the squad and how Lookman reconciles with the new leadership. Baladino's challenge will be to balance ambition with pragmatism, deliver results, and restore harmony in the locker room, all while contending with a league that’s relentless in its pace and competition.
Sniper joke 1: Baladino’s playbook is so sharp, even the offside line filed a formal complaint about being too overruled by the new boss.
Sniper joke 2: If football had a season-long snack bar, Atalanta would hire Baladino to supervise the popcorn; it might still be the most consistent thing they’ve had all season.
