Palladino the big favourite to replace Juric at Atalanta

It is increasingly likely that Ivan Juric will be fired by Atalanta, with Raffaele Palladino confirmed as the hot favourite to take over.

It had already been evident that La Dea were running out of patience with the coach after a run of dismal Serie A results, as five consecutive stalemates were followed by back-to-back defeats against Udinese and Sassuolo.

Today’s 3-0 home loss to the Neroverdi was the final straw, especially as it left them behind newly-promoted Sassuolo in the table.

With the break for international duty, Atalanta are ready to pull the plug on this brief Juric tenure, as he had only taken over in the summer.

He has overseen four victories, eight draws and three defeats in all competition.

Juric was only chosen because he was one of the proteges of former coach Gian Piero Gasperini, so this is also influencing their decision going forward.

Palladino and Thiago Motta are in the same bracket, but former Fiorentina and Monza boss Palladino is the top choice.

The 41-year-old left Fiorentina by mutual consent over the summer, after just one season at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.