Atalanta have officially dismissed head coach Ivan Juric after a disappointing start to the 2025/26 Serie A campaign and a 3-0 home defeat to newly-promoted Sassuolo on Sunday.
Juric, who succeeded long-serving boss Gian Piero Gasperini last summer, leaves the club languishing in 13th place with only two wins from 11 league games. The defeat capped a poor run of form in which Atalanta managed just six points from their last eight matches.
Tension boils over after Lookman substitution
The decision to sack Juric came just days after a heated touchline exchange with Ademola Lookman during Atalanta’s Champions League victory over Marseille.
Lookman reacted angrily to being substituted, brushing off Juric’s handshake and exchanging words as teammates stepped in to calm tempers.
The confrontation reportedly deepened dressing-room unrest, with several senior players said to have lost confidence in Juric’s abrasive style.
Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport claimed the club viewed the incident as a clear sign of fractured team harmony, compounding pressure on the coach ahead of the Sassuolo match.
Club statement and possible successor
According to transfer insider Alfredo Pedullà, Juric was informed that the games against Marseille and Sassuolo would determine his future. Despite the European win, Sunday’s domestic collapse sealed his fate.
“Atalanta BC announces that Ivan Juric has been relieved of his position as head coach of the first team, along with his closest members of staff,” the club confirmed in a statement. “Atalanta thanks Ivan Juric and his staff for their efforts, and wishes them all the best for the future.”
Coincidentally, the 49-year-old was also dismissed by Roma exactly one year ago on December 10, 2024.
Reports in Italy suggest that former Monza and Fiorentina manager Raffaele Palladino is the frontrunner to replace him at the Gewiss Stadium.