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Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini is reportedly considering stepping down from his role amid a heated public dispute with star forward Ademola Lookman, Soccernet.ng reports.

The rift between the pair, exacerbated by Atalanta’s Champions League elimination, has cast serious doubts over their futures in Bergamo.

The fallout has left the club in a precarious position, with Lookman likely to depart this summer and Napoli and Juventus closely monitoring his situation.

Barely a year after Gasperini and Lookman helped Atalanta secure the club’s first-ever major European trophy by winning the Europa League, both now appear set to leave under acrimonious circumstances.

The breaking point came in the aftermath of Atalanta’s painful Champions League exit against Club Brugge.

Lookman’s missed penalty proved costly, and Gasperini did not hold back in his post-match criticism, calling the Nigerian winger “one of the worst penalty takers” he had ever seen. Lookman hit back the next day, accusing Gasperini of being “disrespectful.”


Gasperini has attracted rebuke from far and near for his outburst with Juventus great Alessandro Del Piero and former Nigeria international Duke Udi knocking the veteran tactician for his crude comments.

The heat may have been too much for Gasperini as, according to journalist Gerardo Fasano of Ruleta Sport via Tutto Atalanta, the controversy nearly prompted the former Inter Milan coach to resign on the morning of February 19.

It was reported that only the intervention of Atalanta’s management, led by the Percassi family, convinced him to stay on until the end of the season.

Atalanta’s hierarchy acted swiftly to mediate the situation, urging Gasperini to remain at the helm for the remainder of the campaign. Their message was clear: maintain focus and push for a top-four Serie A finish before any major decisions are made in June.

Despite their European disappointment, Atalanta remain in contention for a Champions League spot.

However, while the ongoing internal tensions could disrupt Atalanta’s bid for a strong finish to the season, Gasperini has agreed to see out the campaign.

In the midst of the crisis, Atalanta appear to be preparing for life after Gasperini. Reports suggest that the club has initiated contact with former Napoli and Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri as a potential successor.

Sarri, who is currently without a club after his Lazio exit, is renowned for his attacking style of play—one that could align well with Atalanta’s philosophy under Gasperini. His arrival would represent a significant managerial coup for the Bergamo-based side.


While Atalanta contemplate a managerial change, Lookman could also be on his way out of the club in the summer.

The Nigerian forward nearly joined French giants PSG in August but he could be set to remain in Italy with Juventus and Napoli reportedly emerging as frontrunners for his signature.

Atalanta reportedly valued Lookman, who is also on the washlist of Arsenal and Liverpool, at €60 million during the last transfer window, and a similar fee could be demanded this summer.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/soccernet.ng/2025/02/lookman-atalanta-gasperini.html/amp%3futm_medium=mobile_push&utm_source=wonderpush

Mumu man.
Which coach singles out a player for public criticism for a team's failure.

It's ok, make una forgive una sef

All I perceived here is hatred for black players from the coach, "if" they should remove black players from all the leagues in the world, I know they will be nothing..

Yauyau coach

N

So he'll rather resign than apologize...
Wooaah!

Everyone is angry
Channel that anger to win 12 out of 13 serie A games & win the Scudetto
Shikena

A team that conceeded 3 straight goals at home is blaming a man who came in and scored for missing a penalty. Stupid coach

Lol 😂😂😂

The coach was just unreasonable in his comments

This man coaching style is worse than Chelsea's Enzo... Lookman singlehandedly Carried the team on his shoulder

robosky02:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/soccernet.ng/2025/02/lookman-atalanta-gasperini.html/amp%3futm_medium=mobile_push&utm_source=wonderpush

lookman leave that club for where you find peace before it's too late.

Samajogs:
This man coaching style is worse than Chelsea's Enzo... Lookman singlehandedly Carried the team on his shoulder

Na team work o.

Infact Lookman has scored only 10 goals, his team mate Mateo Retegui has scored 20 goals and still counting. But of course the coach acted very unprofessional.

Jst apologize.... Very bad throwing your player under the bus

What is he waiting for?

Meanwhile, that penalty miss did not prove any costly as they were already losing by 5:2 on aggregate.
If he had scored the penalty, it wouldn't have changed much

E resign ooo, e no resign ooo. E no go still better for am. Serie A just hate black players

Funny fellows.

The man is just needlessly proud...!

You goofed and got called out... Apologise and get on with your job.

Lookman should remember culture. If elder kneel down for u ur own don spoil be that

He can resign now afterall, he has got his only cup through the boy ...
Bascads , I though he was different but No , they're all r bascads ... Nazi Italians

Even Messi and Ronaldo dey miss crucial penalty. His outburst was unnecessary.

Let him resign quick. I hate manager who can not understand even Ronaldo, Messi, Mbape etc have all once or twice missed penalty kick so what is the big issue in this if not plain stupidity.

omoredia:
Lookman should remember culture. If elder kneel down for u ur own don spoil be that

Your talk no just join!

No one is asking an elder to do anything demeaning... He messed up, got called out, and should eat the humble pie.

Na this dull mindset make your so called elders loot and embezzle una dry for Naija yet una no fit call them out.

optimistfeel:
All I perceived here is hatred for black players from the coach, "if" they should remove black players from all the leagues in the world, I know they will be nothing..

I dare him to try that with players like Ronaldo or Messi.

Angelfrost:
Your talk no just join!

No one is asking an elder to do anything demeaning... He messed up, got called out, and should eat the humble pie.

Na this dull mindset make your so called elders loot and embezzle una dry for Naija yet una no fit call them out.

Do u call out ur useIess Yoruba elders when they misbehave?

if Lookman knows what is good for him, he should leave that place...they will still find a way to mess him up

Matters heap.