Ademola Lookman Told to Leave Atalanta After Touchline Incident With Manager

Former Everton forward Ademola Lookman became embroiled in an altercation with his own manager on Wednesday – and some fans think it’s time for him to leave Atalanta.

Since joining the Bergamo club in 2022, the London-born Nigeria international has been a revelation, having registered 53 goals and 25 assists in 127 appearances for the Serie A outfit - including bagging a hat-trick in their Europa League final victory against Bayer Leverkusen in 2024.

In December of last year, the 28-year-old was named African Footballer of the Year and began attracting interest from several Premier League clubs.

Back in August, he handed in a formal transfer request as he felt it was “the right time” to “move on and experience a new adventure”.

Lookman also claimed that the club went back on their supposed agreement to let him leave and instead accused them of “blocking the opportunity”.

So, the forward remained at Atalanta.

However, during the side’s 1-0 Champions League league phase victory away at Marseille on Wednesday, Lookman and head coach Ivan Juric almost came to blows and had to be separated by club staff after the player was withdrawn and replaced by Yunus Musah on 75 minutes.

Juric and Lookman appeared to share some heated words after the substitution before the coach appeared to grab the player’s shoulder, to which he did not respond well. And fans on social media have since suggested that the player should leave the club in January.

One said: “The penalty issue and now being disrespected by a manager who hasn’t won anything in his career, who has relegated Southampton and almost relegated Roma last season. Lookman is at a new low; someone needs to check on him.”

Another added: “A player who single-handedly gave them a European trophy cannot be treated with respect.”

While a third claimed: “He’s body language from the first minute screams I want to be out of here. I watched this game. He does not want to be there.”

Shortly after his side’s win at the Stade Velodrome, Juric explained what happened between the pair.

Speaking to Sky Italia, he said: “The players aren't happy to come off, there's some reaction but then it ends there ... We all know how these situations are, they happen, in the heat of the moment you exaggerate a bit but what matters is Atalanta and the fans and the good of the team, you have to behave well, then I understand, it's not a problem, then everything passes, the important thing is to win the next match."

Atalanta return to Serie A action at home against Sassuolo on Sunday.