New Atalanta manager Raffaele Palladino has attributed Ademola Lookman’s remarkable revival to a simple, human touch: a one-on-one conversation.
In an open reflection, Palladino revealed that one of his first priorities after taking charge was to connect personally with every member of the squad, including the Nigerian forward, whose position at the club had been uncertain just months earlier.
“When I arrived, I spoke to everyone individually to build a personal connection. Players are, above all, human,” Palladino said. “I spoke with Ademola; he’s a dedicated professional who is giving his all for the team. We share the same goal: to make the club successful. The results are already showing.”
The intervention came at a critical moment. Lookman had pursued a transfer to Inter Milan over the summer, but when the deal fell through, he returned to a Bergamo squad under new management, initially training alone and struggling to regain form.
Palladino stressed that addressing any lingering issues from the failed transfer required simple, honest communication. “With Lookman, I did exactly what I did with the rest of the team: I spoke to him individually. A few words were enough because he’s smart and understands quickly,” the manager said. “I was clear, he was clear with me: we’re heading in the same direction.”
The results of this renewed understanding are clear. Lookman has hit a rich vein of form, scoring in back-to-back matches against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League and Fiorentina in Serie A. Palladino has also praised the 28-year-old’s defensive work rate and overall commitment.
Under Palladino’s guidance, Lookman has scored two Serie A goals in nine appearances and netted his first Champions League goal of the season. The hope now is that this settled partnership will allow the Super Eagles star to consistently deliver on his undeniable talent.
