Atalanta: Conte takes over

Another former Juventus great turns his hand to football management in the big time. Ciro Ferrara and Didier Deschamps are leading Juventus and Olympic Marseille at the moment and now Antonio Conte takes the reins at Atalanta. Of course though, this is not his first stab at management. The former Lecce player took over at Bari and guided them to promotion last season.

Its been a woeful start to the season for the Bergamo based club. Four defeats in a row, most recently to Bari, spark the need for change in Atalanta and Conte could be just the man for the job. The 4-1 defeat to Bari was an absolute hammering. To be fair it could have been 5 or 6 goals to Bari such was the dismal defender that Atalanta produced. Despite it being just week four, it was undoubtedly time for change and with fellow strugglers Catania up next for them it will be important to claim the three points. But is Conte the man?

Antonio Conte
Despite being inexperience in Serie A as a head manager he has worked as assistant manager at Siena before so he will have some idea of the ongoings at a club that battles against relegation. But, Atalanta are definately something more than this. At worst they are a midtable team, perhaps finishing anywhere between 15th to 10th place. No way should they be rooted to the bottom of the table, so Conte will need to get them out of this mess quick. Still, he would it seems have the calibre to do just that. Last season he inspirationally guided Bari to the top of Serie B and now the fruits of his work are to be seen in the fact that Bari are sitting on six points and undefeated at only week four.

The Cagliari example
True, last year Cagliari lost their first five games and turned it around without the need to sack the now widely regarded excellent manager in Massimo Allegri. But, does lightning ever strike twice I wonder. Personally, it is in my opinion a good move Atalanta. They may have just nipped a dismall start in the bud with the signing of Conte and perhaps he will inspire them to three points tomorrow night against Catania.