Lookman Faces Uncertain Future as Atalanta Coach Ivan Juric Comes Under Pressure

Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman could soon have a new manager following the club’s 3-0 defeat to Sassuolo on Sunday, a result that has placed head coach Ivan Juric under pressure.

Lookman’s time in Bergamo has been far from smooth. The Nigerian international reportedly fell out with former manager Gian Piero Gasperini last season and tried to leave the club during the summer transfer window, but his move was blocked.

His decision to skip Atalanta’s pre-season preparations affected his fitness, and the 28-year-old has since struggled to find form, scoring only one goal across all competitions for club and country this season.

Tensions between Lookman and Juric grew worse during the 1-0 UEFA Champions League win over Olympique de Marseille last week, when the Nigerian was substituted for Yunus Musah. The forward reacted angrily, leading to a brief confrontation between both men on the touchline. The situation has since drawn criticism from former players, who felt the coach handled the matter poorly.

Lookman has now unfollowed Atalanta’s official social media accounts, sparking further speculation about his relationship with the club.

Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount on Juric, whose team sits in the bottom half of Serie A with 13 points from 11 matches. The Croatian has managed only four wins in 15 games since taking charge in July, giving him a win rate of just 27 percent.

Reports in Italy suggest that Atalanta officials have started discussions about possible replacements, with Thiago Motta and Roberto Mancini among the names being considered.

Juric, however, insists he is not worried about losing his job. After the Sassuolo defeat, he admitted that both he and the players underperformed but maintained that he has not had any discussions with the club’s board about his future.

For Lookman, a change in management could offer a fresh start. Since helping Atalanta win the UEFA Europa League under Gasperini, the Nigerian has been linked with several clubs, but the team’s refusal to sell him has created frustration.

While a coaching change might ease the tension at Bergamo, Lookman’s main wish could be to revive his career elsewhere — a move that might finally bring the smile back to one of Nigeria’s brightest attacking talents.