When Ademola Lookman deleted every post related to Atalanta BC and unfollowed their social media accounts, it wasn’t just a digital cleanup—it was a public severance. The 28-year-old Nigerian international, once the heartbeat of the Bergamo-based club, had had enough. The breaking point came during their 1-0 UEFA Champions League win over Olympique de Marseille on November 6, 2025, at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, France. Lookman, who’d been substituted in the 75th minute, erupted on the touchline. Witnesses say he shouted directly at head coach Ivan Juric, gesturing wildly. Club staff had to physically pull them apart. Two days later, Atalanta BC fired Juric—and his entire staff. The timing wasn’t coincidence. It was a reckoning.
The Fracture on the Touchline
Lookman’s frustration had been building for months. Since joining Atalanta BC from RB Leipzig in August 2022, he’d delivered 53 goals and 25 assists in 127 appearances. He scored a hat-trick in their 2024 Europa League final win over Bayer Leverkusen. He was named African Footballer of the Year in December 2024. But the 2025/26 season? A disaster. Just one goal in nine starts. The pressure mounted. And when Juric pulled him off in the 75th minute of a tight Champions League clash, it felt less like tactical adjustment and more like public rejection."He looked at me like I was a liability," Lookman reportedly told close associates afterward. "I’ve carried this team. Now they treat me like I’m past my sell-by date."
The Fallout: A Coach Gone, a Star Ready to Leave
The dismissal of Ivan Juric on November 10, 2025, was swift—and shocking. Atalanta didn’t wait for a board meeting. They moved immediately. The club statement cited "a breakdown in leadership alignment," but insiders say it was Lookman’s outburst that forced their hand. The club couldn’t afford to lose their star player. So they removed the man who’d angered him.But it wasn’t enough. Lookman didn’t just delete posts—he erased his digital presence with the club. No more hashtags. No more reposts. No more likes. He even unfollowed the team’s Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok accounts. The message was clear: I’m done.
"This isn’t just about a substitution," said veteran Serie A journalist Eleonora Trotta on CMIT Live. "It’s about trust. Lookman gave Atalanta his peak years. Now he feels used. And he’s done playing nice."
The Transfer Battle Begins
Enter the suitors. Tottenham Hotspur FC, led by executive Fabio Paratici, have made Lookman their top January target. Paratici, who knows Italian football inside out from his Juventus days, sees a player who’s still in his prime—despite the slow start. "He’s got pace, finishing, and hunger," one source told TEAMtalk. "He just needs a fresh start."But he’s not alone. Atlético Madrid CF have quietly submitted a €45 million offer, according to Fichajes.net. Their manager, Diego Simeone, values physicality and grit—qualities Lookman has in spades. Meanwhile, AS Roma are monitoring the situation closely, with sporting director Tiago Pinto reportedly intrigued by the possibility of a low-risk, high-reward signing.
Lookman’s agent, according to Punch Nigeria, has already begun informal talks with all three clubs. The January 2026 transfer window opens on January 1, 2026—and Lookman is determined to be gone before then.
Why This Matters Beyond Bergamo
This isn’t just a player-coach spat. It’s a case study in modern football’s emotional economy. Lookman isn’t a malcontent. He’s a proven performer who gave everything to a club that, by his account, reneged on promises. His August 2025 transfer request—reportedly blocked by Atalanta’s board—wasn’t just about money. It was about respect. And now, with Juric gone and the club in disarray, the power has shifted.Atalanta’s next match? Against US Sassuolo Calcio at their Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo on November 10, 2025. Lookman is expected to start. But he won’t be singing the club anthem. He won’t be celebrating goals with teammates who still wear the blue-and-black. He’s already mentally checked out.
From London to Lagos: A Career Rebuilt
Lookman’s journey has been anything but linear. Born in London, he represented England at U-17 and U-19 levels before switching allegiance to Nigeria in 2021. His early career was a string of failures: a forgettable spell at Everton FC, a loan at Fulham FC that yielded just one goal, another at Leicester City FC that ended in disappointment. Even his time at RB Leipzig was underwhelming.Atalanta changed everything. For three years, he thrived under Gian Piero Gasperini’s system. He became the club’s most dangerous attacking outlet. He was the man fans chanted for. Now, he’s the man they’re desperate to keep—too late.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Atalanta fire Ivan Juric after Lookman’s outburst?
Atalanta’s board viewed Juric’s decision to substitute Lookman as the final straw in a deteriorating relationship. With Lookman having already requested a transfer in August and now publicly cutting ties, the club feared losing their star player permanently. Firing Juric was a damage-control move to salvage the situation and possibly convince Lookman to stay—though his actions suggest it’s too late.
Is Lookman’s poor 2025/26 season the real reason he wants to leave?
Not entirely. While his one goal in nine matches is below his usual standard, Lookman’s frustration stems more from feeling undervalued. He believes Atalanta broke a verbal agreement to let him leave in August 2025, then used him as a key player despite his request. His social media purge and public silence suggest the issue is trust, not form.
Which clubs are most likely to sign Lookman in January 2026?
Tottenham Hotspur and Atlético Madrid are the frontrunners. Tottenham, under Fabio Paratici, sees him as a perfect fit for their counter-attacking style. Atlético, under Diego Simeone, values his physicality and work rate. AS Roma is a dark horse, but they’re waiting to see if Lookman’s attitude remains an issue. All three clubs are aware of his past, but they’re betting on his proven peak.
Can Lookman still be African Footballer of the Year again in 2025?
It’s unlikely. He won the award in December 2024 after a stellar 2023/24 season. The 2025/26 campaign has been his worst since joining Atalanta, and without a strong finish before January, his chances are slim. However, a move to a top European club and a resurgence in the second half of the season could revive his candidacy for 2026.
What does this mean for Atalanta’s future?
Atalanta faces a rebuilding phase. Losing Lookman—along with their head coach—creates a leadership vacuum. They’ll need to find a new manager quickly and likely sell other assets to balance the books. Without Lookman, their attacking threat drops significantly. Their next few months will define whether they remain a top Serie A force or begin a slow decline.
Why did Lookman switch from England to Nigeria?
Lookman switched allegiance to Nigeria in 2021 after being overlooked for England’s senior squad despite his youth caps. He cited stronger cultural ties and the opportunity to represent his heritage. The move paid off: he became a key player for the Super Eagles and won African Footballer of the Year in 2024, proving his decision was both personal and professional.
Stephanie Reed
November 12, 2025 AT 15:36It’s heartbreaking to see a player who gave so much get treated like disposable inventory. Lookman carried Atalanta through some of their most iconic moments-hat-tricks in finals, African Footballer of the Year-and now they’re treating him like a problem to be managed. This isn’t just about tactics. It’s about dignity. He didn’t walk away because he lost form. He walked away because he lost trust.
Jason Lo
November 14, 2025 AT 05:47Typical. Another overpaid athlete throwing a tantrum because he didn’t get his way. If you’re not performing, you get benched. End of story. He’s lucky they didn’t bench him for the whole season. Atalanta did the right thing by firing Juric-now they just need to fire Lookman too.
Brian Gallagher
November 14, 2025 AT 13:44From an organizational behavior standpoint, this incident represents a classic case of relational contract violation. Lookman, as a high-performing human capital asset, had internalized an implicit psychological contract with Atalanta-reciprocal loyalty, recognition, and developmental support. The substitution, coupled with the perceived breach of prior transfer negotiations, triggered a profound sense of betrayal. The digital purge is not merely symbolic; it’s a behavioral reclamation of autonomy in a system that commodified his identity. Juric’s dismissal was an organizational appeasement maneuver, but it fails to address the deeper structural failure: a lack of emotional intelligence in leadership.
Elizabeth Alfonso Prieto
November 16, 2025 AT 04:26THIS IS WHY I HATE SOCCER NOW. PEOPLE JUST USE EACH OTHER AND THEN THROW THEM AWAY LIKE TRASH. LOOKMAN DESERVED BETTER. I CRY EVERY TIME I THINK ABOUT IT. HOW CAN THEY DO THIS TO SOMEONE WHO SCORED SO MUCH FOR THEM? I’M SO MAD RIGHT NOW. I WANT TO KICK SOMETHING.
Harry Adams
November 16, 2025 AT 20:34How quaint. A 28-year-old forward with 53 goals in 127 appearances is suddenly a martyr because he was subbed off? The emotional theater of modern football is exhausting. Juric’s decision was tactical-Lookman was fatigued, Marseille’s fullbacks were exploiting his lack of defensive contribution. The real tragedy here is the media’s willingness to elevate petulant behavior into myth. This isn’t Shakespeare. It’s a salary dispute dressed up as moral outrage.
Kieran Scott
November 17, 2025 AT 08:20Let’s not pretend this is about respect. Lookman’s form has been abysmal since August. One goal in nine starts? That’s not a slump-it’s a collapse. He’s been carried by reputation and nostalgia. Juric was the only one brave enough to say it. And now, because Lookman deleted a few Instagram posts, the entire club is expected to kneel? This is the rot of modern football: ego over excellence. Tottenham and Atlético are making a mistake if they think he’s still a top-tier asset. He’s a fading brand with a bloated wage and zero defensive discipline. The only thing he’s ‘proven’ is how to manipulate narrative.
Joshua Gucilatar
November 17, 2025 AT 18:28Lookman didn’t just delete posts-he erased his digital fingerprints from a chapter of his life that once meant everything. That’s not anger. That’s grief. He gave Atalanta his peak, his artistry, his identity. They gave him a contract and a cold shoulder. He’s not running from the club-he’s running from the ghost of what he thought they were. And now? The suitors are circling like vultures, but none of them will ever understand why he left. They’ll just want his name on the back of a jersey. That’s the real tragedy.
jesse pinlac
November 18, 2025 AT 19:29It’s ironic that a man who switched national allegiances for cultural authenticity is now being portrayed as a victim of institutional betrayal. The reality is far less poetic: he’s a mercenary. His loyalty was transactional. He thrived under Gasperini’s system, but when the system changed, he chose to weaponize his emotional response rather than adapt. Atalanta’s decision to fire Juric was not an act of justice-it was an act of panic. And now, the entire narrative has been hijacked by social media sentimentality. The game has become a soap opera with salary caps.
Jess Bryan
November 19, 2025 AT 06:21Someone needs to look into who really pulled the strings here. Why did Juric get fired exactly 48 hours after Lookman’s outburst? Coincidence? Or was there a backroom deal with Tottenham? Paratici’s fingerprints are all over this. And what about the timing of the transfer request in August? Why was it blocked? Someone in the boardroom knew Lookman was going to explode-and they let it happen to clear space for a new signing. This isn’t drama. It’s a corporate takeover disguised as football.
Ronda Onstad
November 19, 2025 AT 14:30I’ve watched Lookman’s career since his days at Everton, and I’ve never seen a player so consistently overlooked until he found his home. Atalanta gave him structure, belief, and a system that let his genius breathe. But football doesn’t reward loyalty-it rewards results. And when results dipped, the human element got lost in the spreadsheet. I don’t blame Lookman for walking away. I blame Atalanta for not having a conversation before it got to this point. A simple ‘We hear you, let’s talk’ could’ve changed everything. Instead, they waited for a meltdown. That’s not management. That’s negligence.
Steven Rodriguez
November 20, 2025 AT 21:14Let’s be real-this isn’t about football. This is about America’s obsession with cancel culture infiltrating the beautiful game. Lookman didn’t get subbed off-he got ‘deplatformed’ by his own coach. Now he’s the martyr of the oppressed athlete. Meanwhile, the real story? He’s 28, not 22. His speed has declined. His decision-making’s been off. But because he’s Black, African, and ‘resilient,’ the media turns him into a saint. The truth? He’s a good player who’s past his prime, and now he’s using outrage to get a better contract. Don’t be fooled. This isn’t justice. It’s capitalism with a soundtrack.
Zara Lawrence
November 22, 2025 AT 10:20Wait-did you all notice that the club statement said ‘breakdown in leadership alignment’? That’s not standard corporate speak. That’s a coded phrase. Someone higher up-maybe even the owner-was involved in the decision to sideline Lookman. And Juric? He was the fall guy. The timing of the social media purge and the firing? Too perfect. This smells like a coordinated effort to force Lookman into a transfer window where Atalanta gets maximum value. They didn’t fire Juric because of Lookman-they fired him because he was the only one who knew what really happened in the locker room.
Ashley Hasselman
November 22, 2025 AT 23:34So let me get this straight: a guy gets subbed off, deletes a few posts, and suddenly the entire club collapses? Someone call the Nobel Committee. Next up: the goalkeeper who got a yellow card and then started a revolution.