Ex-Super Eagles boss tips ‘troublemaker’ Lookman to thrive under Simeone at Atletico

Former Super Eagles head coach José Peseiro believes Ademola Lookman will thrive under Diego Simeone at Atlético Madrid, Soccernet.ng reports.

The veteran Portuguese tactician has also firmly dismissed suggestions that the Nigerian forward is difficult to manage.

Lookman completed a high-profile move from Atalanta to the Spanish giants during the winter transfer window and now finds himself working under one of Europe’s most demanding and tactically disciplined coaches.

Simeone’s intense style has built Atlético into serial competitors in La Liga and Europe, and some have questioned whether Lookman’s supposedly fiery personality would fit into that structure.

Those doubts stem from a turbulent final spell in Italy. Lookman clashed publicly with Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini after being criticised for missing a penalty in a Champions League match. Things also boiled over under Gasperini’s successor Ivan Jurić, who was seen grabbing the winger by the touchline following a substitution when Lookman refused to shake his hand.

Last summer, the Nigeria international pushed hard for a move away from Bergamo, even skipping training sessions before eventually being brought back into the squad. The series of incidents led to him being labelled a ‘troublemaker' in some quarters.

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Peseiro backs Lookman’s character and Atlético future

But Peseiro, who worked closely with Lookman during his time in charge of Nigeria, strongly rejects that image.

“No, no, no, he's very, very easy to manage,” Peseiro told Marca.

“You just have to let him be, even though sometimes he did things we didn't want because of his audacity on the field. But his problems had nothing to do with how to handle him.

“He's very calm, he doesn't act like a star or a big deal. He's not very extroverted, he doesn't talk, laugh, or sing, so I was surprised when he responded to his coach (Gasperini). But he'd absolutely crucified him for missing a penalty after everything he'd given!

“He's very calm and doesn't act like a star; his problems at Atalanta had nothing to do with how he handled it.”

Peseiro is convinced Simeone is the ideal coach to unlock the best of Lookman’s qualities and believes Atlético signed him with a clear tactical purpose.

“I think Simeone was missing a player with those characteristics, that's why they went after him,” the former Porto manager added.

“He's coming to complete a system and because they also saw his potential. I'm sure they'll get along; we just have to wait and see.”

Early signs have been encouraging. Lookman marked his arrival in Spain with a goal and an assist in Atlético’s emphatic 5-0 Copa del Rey quarter-final victory over Real Betis.

Simeone will now hope for another decisive display as Atlético host Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, before travelling to the Camp Nou for next week’s return leg.