With Ademola Lookman waiting in the wings, Bergamo club seek revival after poor start.
Bergamo’s football faithful woke up to a seismic shift on Monday as Atalanta BC announced the dismissal of head coach Ivan Jurić following a dismal start to the 2025/26 Serie A campaign. The Italian side, which had punched above its weight in recent seasons, confirmed the move via official club statement.
Jurić, appointed in June to succeed the long-serving Gian Piero Gasperini, arrived with expectations of continuity. His contract, which ran to June 2027, indicated the club’s intention to build on past success. Yet, just five months into his tenure, the Croatian boss found himself out of a job.
The final straw came on Sunday when Atalanta were thumped 3-0 at home by US Sassuolo, a defeat that left the club sitting 13th in Serie A after 11 matches. The team had managed only two league wins this term and entered a winless stretch of seven matches; a run the club deemed unrecoverable under the current structure.
From a Nigerian football perspective, one of the more intriguing elements of this upheaval is the positioning of Nigerian international winger Ademola Lookman. The 27-year-old has emerged as a key figure for Atalanta, following his decisive contributions and recent acclaim as African Footballer of the Year. Amid club turbulence, involvement at Atalanta becomes even more significant for his career and for Nigerian football interest abroad.
Club sources confirm that while Jurić and his coaching staff including Matteo Paro and Miguel Veloso have departed, the squad remains intact and Lookman, in particular, is expected to play a central role as the club charts a new direction.
Why this move matters
Atalanta’s decision is not simply a routine managerial change. It signifies a clear reset. The club has risen in recent years, playing attractive attacking football, qualifying for European competition frequently, and even lifting the Europa League. Maintaining that momentum was central to their identity. Now, with the Nigerian international’s stock high, the club is recalibrating.
For the home-grown and diaspora Nigerian audience, Lookman’s position becomes symbolic. While coaches come and go, his performances over the past seasons made him a fan favourite and raise expectations that he will lead the next chapter.
What’s next for Atalanta and Lookman
The immediate question is who will replace Jurić. Italian media are already linking former Fiorentina coach Raffaele Palladino with the role. Whatever the appointment, the new coach will inherit a team in need of urgency: climbing out of mid-table mediocrity, reigniting the attack, and aligning with the Nigerian forward’s best years.
Lookman himself will no doubt be key in any tactical reboot. Analysts expect his speed, creativity and goal-threat to be leveraged more aggressively under new leadership, giving the Super Eagles star further platform to shine globally and for Nigerian football fans to follow with pride. Stay with Hot Sports Scoops for exclusive Nigerian-focused sports coverage — home and abroad.