Report: Atalanta Coach Gasperini will not renew his contract

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has informed the club that he will not extend his contract when it expires at the end of next season.

The club has been in the headlines since Wednesday, when they were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League after a 5-2 aggregate defeat to Club Brugge. During the match, Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman missed a crucial penalty that could have given his side a boost. Gasperini, visibly angry, labelled Lookman the “worst penalty taker” he had ever seen in a post-match interview.

Following these harsh comments, Lookman took to social media to explain his side of the story. The club has held several meetings to try and ease the tension between Gasperini and Lookman, but the situation now seems beyond repair.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has already reported that Lookman is expected to leave Atalanta at the end of the season.

Now, according to Italian football journalist Nicolò Schira, Gasperini has confirmed he will not extend his contract, which runs until 2026. Schira stated, “He will either stay at Atalanta until the end of his contract or the contract will be terminated by mutual consent this summer.”

This is a significant decision, as Gasperini has been with Atalanta since 2016 and has led them through some of their best years.

As for Lookman, his focus will now be on finishing the season strong to keep attracting interest from top European clubs. Despite his fallout with Gasperini, his excellent performances should ensure his place in the team. However, the club may suffer from the tensions within the dressing room. The team’s focus could be affected, especially as Atalanta are currently third in Serie A with 51 points, just five points behind leaders Napoli. If the situation is not handled well, they risk slipping out of the top four.