Tensions at Atalanta have reached a breaking point after an explosive touchline confrontation between star forward Ademola Lookman and manager Ivan Jurić during the side’s recent 1-0 victory over Marseille in the Champions League.
The incident, which saw Jurić physically grab the reigning African Player of the Year, has sparked immediate calls from pundits and fans for Lookman to leave the Italian club.
The flashpoint occurred shortly after Lookman was substituted, with the Nigerian winger appearing to exchange words with his manager as he made his way toward the bench.
Jurić, visibly enraged, immediately moved to confront Lookman, seizing his arm before launching into a stern reprimand.
Footage showed a visibly stunned Lookman needing to be separated from his manager by coaching staff as the altercation escalated on the sideline.
Lookman, who famously scored a hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League final, has a strained relationship with the club hierarchy, having reportedly gone on strike over the summer after a substantial bid from Inter Milan was rejected.
This public display of friction with the new boss has only intensified speculation regarding his future.
Discussing the incident on CBS Sports Golazo, former Premier League striker Troy Deeney offered a scathing and definitive analysis of the manager’s conduct.”
When you physically put your hands on somebody, at that point me and you are not going to have a conversation again.
There’s nothing you can say today, tomorrow, next week, that makes me forget you did that to me in front of everyone,” Deeney stated, suggesting the relationship is now irrevocably broken.
Former West Ham and Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the gravity of the manager’s actions given his position of authority.”
When it comes to responsibility and positions of power, Juric is completely in the wrong there. You, as a manager, cannot do that, no matter what has been said,” Reo-Coker concluded.
“Once you put your hand on a player physically, you have lost.” The incident now places Lookman’s future in considerable doubt as the January transfer window approaches.