Rome - Atalanta coach Luigi Del Neri Tuesday confirmed his mooted departure from the Bergamo side, which he will steer for the remaining six games of the Serie A season, Italian media reported.

"I leave Atalanta because we have different programs," the 58-year-old trainer said. "I'm looking for more important goals than just safety from relegation."

Del Neri has coached Atalanta since 2007, closing the past season in ninth position.

The team currently lie safely at mid-table, but at the weekend suffered a 1-0 home defeat against bottom side Reggina, topping a bad run that yielded them only two points from four games.

Del Neri denied rumours that he received offers from other clubs and said he could take another job or take a sabbatical year.

He gained notoriety steering Chievo to the top flight in 2001 and securing a UEFA Cup berth followed by a seventh and ninth place.

In 2004, he was hired by then European Champions Porto, but quit the job before the season's start allegedly because of bad relations with the team's veterans.

His other teams have been Roma, Palermo and again, for one season, Chievo. (dpa)