Italian Serie A side Atalanta have sacked their manager, Ivan Juric, just a week after a public altercation with Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman, following a string of poor results in the league.
The club confirmed Juric’s dismissal on Monday, ending his short and troubled spell in Bergamo. Juric, who replaced long-serving coach Gian Piero Gasperini in the summer, leaves Atalanta sitting 13th in the Serie A table, with only two wins from 11 matches.
The sacking came less than 24 hours after Atalanta suffered a heavy 3-0 home defeat to Sassuolo on Sunday—a result that drew boos from fans and raised serious questions about the team’s direction.
Juric’s reign at Atalanta began with optimism, as he was seen as a coach who could continue the attacking philosophy Gasperini built over several successful seasons. However, the team has struggled badly in domestic competition, showing defensive weaknesses and a lack of creativity in front of goal.
While Atalanta have performed better in the UEFA Champions League—winning two, drawing one, and losing one of their group-stage games—their Serie A form has been disastrous.
The crisis reached its breaking point after the team’s latest defeat, which extended their winless streak to five league matches. Local media reports say Atalanta’s management lost confidence in Juric’s ability to turn things around.
Juric’s troubles were made worse by a touchline incident involving Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman during a Champions League game against Marseille last week.
In a tense moment during the second half, Juric was seen grabbing Lookman by the arm after substituting him. The gesture sparked outrage among fans and raised concerns about the coach’s relationship with key players.
Although Juric later downplayed the clash, calling it “a normal football situation,” the episode reportedly caused friction within the dressing room. Lookman, who played a vital role for Atalanta last season with his goals and assists, reacted by unfollowing the club’s official Instagram account, hinting at his frustration.
Sources close to the team said the argument exposed deeper issues within the squad, including poor communication and low morale. The forward has reportedly been considering his future at the club amid the chaos.
Juric’s sacking on November 10 carries an ironic twist—it happened exactly a year after his dismissal by AS Roma in 2024. At the time, he was replaced by veteran coach Claudio Ranieri.
The Croatian coach had hoped his move to Atalanta would mark a new beginning. Instead, his tenure ended in disappointment, lasting just a few months.
Football analysts in Italy say Juric’s downfall was caused by a mix of poor results, tactical confusion, and his inability to manage big personalities in the team.
Following Juric’s departure, Atalanta are set to appoint former Fiorentina and Monza coach Raffaele Palladino as the new manager.
According to reports from Football Italia, talks are already at an advanced stage, with the 40-year-old expected to sign a contract that runs until June 2027. The deal is believed to include performance-related bonuses, which are still being negotiated.
Palladino, who earned praise for his tactical intelligence and man-management skills at Monza, is seen as the right person to restore stability to the struggling club. Atalanta officials hope he can revive the form of underperforming players, including summer signing Nikola Krstovic, who has yet to impress since joining.
The new coach is also expected to rebuild team morale and improve the relationship between the technical staff and the players—a relationship that reportedly broke down under Juric.
For Ademola Lookman, the change in management could provide a fresh start. The 27-year-old Super Eagles forward has been one of Atalanta’s most consistent performers since joining from RB Leipzig in 2022.
Last season, Lookman scored 15 league goals and was instrumental in Atalanta’s push for European qualification. However, this season, his form has dipped alongside the team’s poor performances.
Sources close to the player say he remains committed to finishing the season strongly, though there are ongoing rumours about interest from English and German clubs. Atalanta fans will hope the arrival of Palladino will help Lookman rediscover his confidence and spark.
Atalanta’s decline this season marks a sharp contrast to their success under former coach Gasperini, who turned the small Bergamo club into one of Serie A’s most exciting teams.
Under Gasperini, Atalanta regularly qualified for the Champions League and became known for their attacking football and player development. The club’s management had hoped Juric would continue that legacy, but results failed to meet expectations.
The team’s defensive record has been one of the worst in the league this season, with 21 goals conceded in 11 games. Fans have also complained about the lack of creativity and fighting spirit that once defined the club.
With a new coach coming in, the club’s immediate priority will be to move up the Serie A table and regain the trust of supporters who have grown frustrated with the team’s decline.
Atalanta will resume Serie A action this weekend, and all eyes will be on Palladino as he takes charge for the first time. His task is clear: to restore discipline, improve performance, and rebuild team spirit.
