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Ademola Lookman has been encouraged to leave Atalanta after a shocking incident with his own manager during the side's 1-0 win over Marseille in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Once a fairly mediocre Premier League player for the likes of Everton and Leicester City, the Nigerian winger soon proved himself one of Europe’s most exciting talents after he fled the nest for Italy. Having scored 53 goals and produced 25 assists in 127 appearances for La Dea, much of Lookman’s success in the boot-shaped country came under the now-departed Gian Piero Gasperini. It was under his tutelage that Lookman delivered the crowning moment of his career - a stunning hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League final, placing him in rare company among players to have ever achieved such a feat in a major European final. But while Gasperini was known for his fiery touchline demeanour, having berated Lookman just last season as "one of the worst penalty takers I've ever seen", new boss Ivan Juric seems to have taken that reputation up a notch. Results and performances may be the bread and butter for a modern-day head coach, but how a manager handles his dressing room often plays an even more crucial role in his sustainability. A touchline spat between the two has brought tensions to boiling point - and for many, it was the straw that broke the camel’s back, with critics now urging Lookman to move on. Ivan Juric Angrily Confronts Ademola Lookman on Touchline Lookman, the reigning African Player of the Year, had to be held back after being grabbed by the short-lived former Southampton boss. The winger had been substituted shortly before Atalanta snatched a 90th-minute winner in Marseille through Lazar Samardzic, but not before appearing to have one or two choice words for his manager as he made his way to the bench. Juric looked furious and immediately grabbed Lookman’s arm before launching into a reprimand. The Nigerian star appeared stunned as another member of staff stepped in to separate the pair. A second coach then put an arm around Lookman, who was visibly shocked by his manager’s behaviour as he tried to move closer to him. Watch the incident below: "Ademola Lookman needs to leave this club fast," was the immediate reaction of one X user, who was backed up by another that remarked: "Ademola Lookman deserves a public apology from the manager and needs to leave this club immediately!" Elsewhere, a third wrote: "Atalanta need to free this man, this is sick," and a fourth commented: "Ademola Lookman needs to leave Atalanta - the level of disrespect has become unbearable. The manager had absolutely no justification for shoving him like that; it was needless and insulting." Over the summer, Lookman went on strike at Atalanta after the club refused to grant him an exit, despite being linked with a number of teams. He accused the club's hierarchy of “broken promises” after a £32 million bid from Inter Milan was rejected, but continued mistreatment of the winger has once again sparked rumours of a departure. Troy Deeney Reacts To Juric's Touchline Spat Former Watford striker Troy Deeney was covering the match for CBS Sports Golazo, alongside Nigel Reo-Coker. Discussing the situation, the Englishman explained how the relationship had likely been broken irreparably there and then. He said (watch the full segment below): "When you physically put your hands on somebody, at that point me and you are not going to have a conversation again. There's nothing you can say today, tomorrow, next week, that makes me forget you did that to me in front of everyone." Reo-Coker, best known for his playing days at West Ham and Aston Villa, added: "When it comes to responsibility and positions of power, Juric is completely in the wrong there. You, as a manager, cannot do that, no matter what has been said. "You're a manager in the Champions League in a match being shown around the world. Once you put your hand on a player physically, you have lost."
