Super Eagles and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman could have a new coach at club level with Ivan Juric under pressure following their 3-0 loss to Sassuolo today, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 28-year-old attacker fell out with Gian Piero Gasperini last season and attempted to leave the club in the summer, but the club blocked all of his attempts.
Lookman’s decision to opt out of La Dea’s pre-season saw him struggle with fitness problems, and as such, he’s scored just one goal across all competitions for club and country this season.
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In Atalanta’s 1-0 win against Olympique de Marseille, Lookman was taken off for Yunus Musah. He didn’t take the situation kindly.
This resulted in Ivan Juric pulling the Nigerian by the arm, which escalated the situation further. However, former Watford striker Troy Deeney revealed the coach was in the wrong.
The 2024 CAF Player of the Year has now unfollowed Atalanta on all social media platforms, although the coach maintains things are under control at the club.
Ivan Juric under pressure
Atalanta were third in the Serie A last season, but they’re currently in the bottom half of the Italian league with 13 points from eleven games.
The former Southampton coach has been on touchline duties at Bergamo since July and has overseen 15 games, winning four and losing three.
Juric has a 27% win rate with Atalanta. The Croatian hasn’t been the most successful coach in his time as a manager.
His win rate at his former clubs is – Southampton (13%), AS Roma (33%), Torino (37%), and Hellas Verona (30%).
According to Alfredo Pedulla, Juric was aware that the game against Sassuolo was an important one, considering Atalanta hadn’t won any of their previous six league games.
Conversations are now ongoing at the club about who could replace the 50-year-old coach, should the poor results continue. Thiago Motta and Roberto Mancini are currently the leading candidates.
Still, Juric mentioned he’s unfazed about being sacked after the loss to Sassuolo at the New Balance Arena today.
“Me at risk of being sacked? I’m not worried at all, but I haven’t spoken to anyone at the club.
“Today, the players and I weren’t up to par. The fans were chanting ‘Pull out your ba…lls at the end of the game’
The performance was whistle-worthy; the fans are right,” the former Hellas Verona coach said in quotes revealed by Nicolo Schira.
Will Lookman get the last laugh?
While Atalanta letting go of Juric might be best for their ambitions looking forward, it may also be a relief for Lookman, but that won’t be enough for the ex-Everton winger.
Since winning the UEFA Europa League and making history under Gian Piero Gasperini, it was only a matter of time before exit offers for Lookman would come knocking.
However, the club has frustrated every one of Lookman’s attempts to leave the club, and while he has handled the situation professionally, his performances on the pitch have declined massively.
While every forward would gasp for breath after breaking a goalscoring drought, his celebrations were muted against Milan, and a last laugh for Lookman would be sealing a move away from Atalanta.