Gian Pero Gasperini (Photo credit: Imago)
Atalanta coach Gian Pero Gasperini has told the club that he will not extend his contract when it expires at the end of next season, Soccernet.ng reports.
La Dea have been in the news since Wednesday when they were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League following a 5-2 aggregate loss to Club Brugge.
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman missed an important penalty that could have given Atalanta some momentum in the game. And that got Gasperini furious as he called Lookman the worst penalty-taker he had ever seen in the post-match presser.
Following Gasperini’s harsh words, Lookman took to social media to explain the situation. The club has had multiple meetings to reconcile Gasperini and Lookman. But the situation seems to have gone beyond reconciliation.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has already reported that Lookman will leave Atalanta at the end of the season.
Now, according to Italian football expert Nicolo Schira, Gasperini has decided that he will not extend his contract when it expires in 2026.
Gian Piero #Gasperinis contract expires in June 2026. He has just confirmed that he wont extend his contract with #Atalanta. Two ways: he will stay at Atalanta until the end of the contract or there will the termination of the contract by mutual consent this summer. #transfers
” Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) February 22, 2025
This is a big decision. Gasperini has been with Atalanta since 2016 and has led the club through its best years.
As it stands, Lookman will just be focused on ending the season well with Atalanta so he can still attract some of the big clubs in Europe.
His fallout with Gasperini will unlikely affect his place in the team due to his consistent brilliance. As such, he will continue to play consistently this season. However, the club will suffer the most. The tension in the dressing room might make the team struggle.
Atalanta are currently third in Serie A with 51 points after 25 games, five points behind leaders Napoli. However, given the recent shenanigans between Gasperini and Lookman, they risk falling out of the top four if they do not keep their heads.
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Copyright © 2024 Soccernet Media Limited.