Atalanta’s new coach, Maurizio Sarri, reveals an unexpected bond with the territory: “As a child I spoke Bergamo”. The Sarri-Giuntoli era officially begins in Zingonia.
An unexpected bond with the Bergamo area marks the beginning of Maurizio Sarri’s journey as Atalanta’s new coach. During his first day in Zingonia, the coach revealed a past lived on the shores of Lake Iseo, a detail that adds a personal note to the start of the new technical era shared with sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli. The day confirmed the official nature of the assignment, with the signing of the contract that will bind the coach to the Nerazzurri club.
The first day in Zingonia between fields and offices
Maurizio Sarri’s arrival at the sports center took place late in the morning, welcomed by Cristiano Giuntoli, the main promoter of his candidacy in Bergamo. Also present were the president Antonio Percassi, the managing director Luca Percassi and the director of sports processes Giuseppe Pompilio. After lunch, the new technician dedicated time to a thorough tour of the facilities. On board a golf car, he inspected the training fields of both the first team and the youth sector, immediately demonstrating particular attention to the academy. Concrete proof of this interest is his decision to add the young 2007 signing, Puljic, to the summer training camp to evaluate him closely. The tour continued through the Favini Academy, the gym and the offices, culminating with the signing of the contract worth around 3 million euros per season in the Percassi family’s office.
“Am I excited? Clear”: the roots and the enthusiasm
The coach’s enthusiasm for the new challenge was summed up in his dry response: “Am I excited for the new adventure? Of course.” An energy that has its roots in a personal past linked precisely to these areas. In an interview that you can read on bergamo.corriere.itSarri said: “As a child I lived on Lake Iseo and my father worked at the Costa Volpino steelworks”. He then added that he attended kindergarten in Castro and that he spoke the Bergamo dialect. An anecdote that reveals a profound connection, well beyond the purely professional aspect, with the environment that now welcomes him as a technical guide.