Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has refused to take credit for the development of Ademola Lookman at the club after he was crowned the 2024 African Player of the Year, Afrosport reports.
The Nigerian forward took home the honours at the CAF Awards in Marrakesh on Monday night ahead of PSG’s Achraf Hakimi and Serhou Guirassy.
Lookman’s career resurgence has been largely attributed to Gasperini who has been known to transform fringe attackers into prolific goalscorers.
The Italian tactician however did not accept such claim after Lookman’s award, rather attributing his growth to other players in the team.
“For many years, the objective for Atalanta was to improve players and see them go to greater heights,” he said per Football Italia.
“It’s not my credit, it goes to everyone at Atalanta who help the players to grow, and of course the credit goes to the players themselves.
“They have what it takes, we just help them to bring that out.”
𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐑 🏆👀
Lookman is the @CAF_Online Men’s Player of the Year 🌟🇳🇬@Alookman_ è il Giocatore Africano dell’Anno 🖤💙#CAFAwards2024 #GoAtalantaGo pic.twitter.com/9KtYAENorT
— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) December 16, 2024
Atalanta will be in action on Wednesday evening when they take on Cesena in Coppa Italia round of 16.
