Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman now has a new coach at Atalanta, following the departure of Gian Pero Gasperini at the end of the season, Soccernet.ng reports.
Gasperini just exited Atalanta at the end of his contract after an impressive eight-year stint that saw him raise the level of the club from a mid-table club to consistent European football contenders.
La Dea tried to get him to get him to pen an extension, but he ultimately chose to join Serie A rivals Roma.
However, Atalanta have now announced Ivan Juric is their new manager. Although he was just sacked from his job at Southampton after failing in his attempt at saving the club from relegation, Juric is a seasoned Serie A campaigner.
Welcome, Mister Jurić ⚫#GoAtalantaGo pic.twitter.com/PsGHSHLMER
— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) June 6, 2025
The Croatian has had stints at Genoa, Crotone, Hellas Verona, and Torino.
Will Ademola Lookman shine with Ivan Juric as coach?
Ivan Juric has coached some Super Eagles players in the course of his career. During his time at Torino, he coached Ola Aina for two seasons.
Torino manager Ivan Juric, to Gazzetta dello Sport: “Ola Aina can play equally on both sides. He brings a different vision of the world to the group. He has quality, crossing and dribbling; he needs to improve, but there is a player there.” pic.twitter.com/dFhIeBntmr
— Solace Chukwu (@TheOddSolace) August 3, 2021
The 28-year-old defender had a rollercoaster ride at the club, as he featured in 44 games in two seasons before getting his transfer to Premier League club Nottingham Forest.
Bottom club Southampton register their first win under Ivan Juric with a 2-1 win over relegation rivals Ipswich Town.
Goals from Joe Aribo and Paul Onuachu's late winner at Portman Road mean #SaintsFC avoid losing seven consecutive league games for the first ever time, but they… pic.twitter.com/8xN43ZyHal
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) February 1, 2025
Last season, Juric had a very short stint with Southampton, as he was appointed as a replacement for Martin Russell, midway into the campaign.
There, he coached Paul Onuachu and Joe Aribo. However, he did not achieve anything. Aribo played 16 games under Juric, while Onuachu featured in 15.
Now, Juric is Ademola Lookman's coach. Lookman has been one of Atalanta's best players for the past two years, and he will surely play a big role with Juric as coach.
In all his teams, Juric is known for playing counter-attacking football, and this is a style that Lookman could shine in due to his speed and technicality.
However, there are serious talks that the Super Eagles star will leave Bergamo this summer.
He has already been linked to some top clubs, but nothing serious has happened yet.
Nonetheless, if Lookman stays in Atalanta, he will be a crucial part of his success.
