Italian Serie A club Atalanta have sacked head coach Ivan Juric following back-to-back defeats and a slump in form, just few days after a heated sideline clash with Nigerian star Ademola Lookman.
The club slipped to a shocking 3–0 home loss to Sassuolo on Sunday, leaving them 13th on the league table and ending what had been a nine-match unbeaten start to the Serie A season — though seven of those games ended in draws.
Tension in the camp reportedly intensified days earlier during Atalanta’s Champions League match against Marseille.
Lookman, visibly upset after being substituted, exchanged angry words with Juric, who tried to pull him back as he walked off the pitch. The confrontation escalated, and club staff were forced to separate both men.
The incident triggered speculation of a fractured relationship between players and coach.
On Monday, Atalanta confirmed Juric’s dismissal, announcing that he and his technical crew had been relieved of their duties.
However, the change did not come as a surprise. Football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano had already revealed on Sunday that talks were in advanced stages with Raffaele Palladino to take over as the new manager.
“Atalanta are in advanced talks with Raffaele Palladino to become the new head coach. Ivan Jurić, on the verge of being sacked,” Romano posted on X.
Juric’s managerial struggles continue a difficult run in his career. Last year, he was fired from Roma after less than two months in charge, then moved to Southampton, where he resigned after the club became the earliest team ever relegated from the Premier League.
He had replaced long-serving manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who departed for Roma after nine successful years at Atalanta. But results never clicked under his leadership.
While their domestic form has dropped, Atalanta have looked stronger in Europe and currently sit 16th in the Champions League standings with seven points from four matches.
