Watford Legend Backs Lookman After Heated Touchline Clash with Ivan Juric
Super Eagles and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman had a clash on the touchline with Ivan Juric in his side’s 1-0 Champions League win against Olympique de Marseille.
However, former Watford and Birmingham City forward Troy Deeney has sided with the Nigerian forward.
The 28-year-old had a good game, despite not finding the back of the net. However, he didn’t take it kindly when he was withdrawn for Yunus Musah in the 75th minute while the game was still goalless.
While the remainder of the Atalanta bench applauded Lookman as he came off, his own manager, Ivan Juric, pulled him back after the forward chose not to react to his words, sparking some chaos on the touchline.
After the game, the former Southampton coach revealed the clash was nothing out of proportion.
“It’s the usual thing we’ve been commenting on every Sunday, it happened with De Bruyne at Napoli, some players are not happy to be substituted, they don’t react well, and we sort these things out in the locker room,” Juric said in quotes revealed by Football Italia.
“We all know these situations, we’ve all had them as players, as coaches, they happen in the heat of the moment.
“What matters is Atalanta, the club, the team and the fans. We do what is good for the team, and I think you need to give your all. I understand, I shake it all off, and we move forward.”
Troy Deeney sides with Lookman over Juric
Troy Deeney, on punditry duties with CBS Sports Golazo, broke down the altercation between the Atalanta pair and revealed the coach was in the wrong.
“Altercations happen all the time, but when you physically put your hands on somebody, at that point, you’re not going to have a conversation again,” the 37-year-old said.
“There’s nothing you can say to them today, tomorrow, or next week that’ll make them forget that you did that to them in front of everyone.
“We’ve all had arguments, we’ve all had frustrations, back and forth, swearing and all these different things, said things we don’t like and vice versa.
“However, no one ever gets to the point of putting their hands on, and that’s the point for me.
“If you want to put your hands on somebody, then just know you’ll face the consequence,” the Englishman concluded.
Former Brentford winger, Mike Grella, also chimed in, opining that the coach needs to apologise to the 2024 CAF Player of the Year.
“Now, he [Ivan Juric] has to go on and apologise, and that puts him in an even weaker position,” the American said.
Ex-England and Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker echoed Deeney’s statements, even throwing a shade at the Croatian’s managerial achievements.
“We don’t know if he’s going to apologise, but the simplest thing for me his when it comes to responsibility and powers of position, Juric is completely in the wrong there.
“You, as a manager, cannot do that, regardless of what was said or whatever it is.
“You’re the football manager, coaching Atalanta in the Champions League, that’s being aired all over the world. You cannot do that.
“When you put your hands on a player like that. You have lost. Full stop. Regardless of what’s being said, that’s what is not allowed categorically.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t care what anyone says. We’ve seen managers have exchanged words with players and bust-ups, but we’ve never seen bigger managers than Juric, who’ve won bigger things, put their hands on players,” the 41-year-old concluded.
Lookman has now fallen out with Atalanta’s previous two coaches, and with interest from Galatasaray knocking on the door, he might get a move during the winter transfer window, although he’ll most likely be on International duty with the Nigerian National team in Morocco.