Former Newcastle United and England striker, Alan Shearer, has shared his thoughts on Ademola Lookman’s strained relationship with his club coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 27-year-old was on the bench for Atalanta’s return leg clash against Club Brugge in Bergamo after they lost the first leg. Gasperini threw the Nigerian into the mix at half-time, and in less than 20 seconds, the former RB Leipzig man pulled one back for the reigning UEFA Europa League Champions.
However, Ademola Lookman missed a penalty a few minutes later, and after the game, got hammered by his coach, who claimed the Super Eagles star is the worst spot kick taker he’s ever seen.
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Lookman, in response, put out an official statement, hitting back at his manager, claiming he didn’t appreciate being singled out for a loss incurred by the whole team.
Alan Shearer, speaking on The Rest is Football, described the feud between Lookman and Gasperini as a strange one.
“There was a big row as well with Ademola Lookman. The manager really criticized him after the game and he put a statement out the following day, saying he felt disrespected and what have you. It’s a really strange thing, one of those ones,” the ex Blackburn striker said on the podcast with Gary Lineker.
After the feud, the 2024 CAF Player of the Year stepped up with a double against Empoli last night, before he was taken off late in the second half. He however, refused to shake hands with Gasperini after he was withdrawn.
Lookman has been linked with a return to the English Premier League, but nothing concrete has surfaced yet, although there’s interest from Manchester United, West Ham United, Liverpool, and Arsenal.
Alan Shearer holds the record for the player with the most goals scored in the English Premier League (260).