Atalanta Sack Ivan Jurić After Five Months

Atalanta have dismissed head coach Ivan Jurić just five months into his tenure, following a disappointing run of results and reports of growing unrest within the squad. The decision was confirmed on November 10, 2025, shortly after a 3–0 home defeat to Sassuolo that left the Bergamo club languishing in mid-table.

Jurić, who took over from long-serving manager Gian Piero Gasperini in the summer, managed only two wins in Atalanta’s first eleven Serie A matches. The team’s performances were marked by inconsistency and a lack of clear identity, as they slipped to 13th place in the league standings. The heavy loss to Sassuolo — where Domenico Berardi starred for the visitors — appeared to be the final straw for the club’s hierarchy.

Sources close to Atalanta revealed that the decision was not solely based on results. Tensions between Jurić and some players had reportedly been building in recent weeks, culminating in a touchline confrontation with Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman during the club’s Champions League fixture against Marseille.

Television cameras captured the heated exchange, during which Jurić appeared to grab Lookman’s arm after substituting him. The footage quickly spread on social media, sparking widespread debate about the coach’s handling of players and internal team relations.

The situation escalated further when Lookman subsequently deleted Atalanta-related posts and unfollowed the club on his social media accounts — a move seen by fans as a sign of a deeper rift. What might have remained an internal issue instead turned into a public spectacle, adding pressure on the already embattled manager.

By the time of his dismissal, relations between Jurić, the squad, and the supporters had reportedly deteriorated beyond repair. Club executives opted to act swiftly in an attempt to stabilise the team before the season slipped further off course.

Atalanta are expected to announce a new manager soon, with several names already being considered to lead the club’s bid to regain its competitive edge.

For Jurić, the dismissal adds to a string of short-lived managerial spells in both Italy and abroad. His exit highlights the growing pressures of modern football, where results, dressing-room harmony, and media perception all play decisive roles in a coach’s survival.

As Atalanta move forward, attention now turns to how the club will rebuild morale and restore unity within the squad — particularly with key players like Lookman at the centre of recent controversies.

While poor performances ultimately sealed Jurić’s fate, the off-field tensions ensured his departure became one of the most talked-about managerial exits of the Serie A season.