Former Saints Coach Agrees With Simeone Over Ademola Lookman’s Biggest Weakness

Former Saints Coach Agrees With Simeone Over Ademola Lookman’s Biggest Weakness Former Premier League coach Ralph Hasenhüttl, who previously worked at Southampton and RB Leipzig, has backed Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone’s assessment of Ademola Lookman, highlighting what both coaches see as the Super Eagles forward’s key weakness in his game Hasenhüttl, who coached Lookman during his early career spell at RB Leipzig, praised the Nigerian winger’s attacking abilities but agreed with Simeone that his off-the-ball work remains a major area of concern.

According to the Austrian tactician, while Lookman possesses exceptional dribbling and finishing skills, his struggle to consistently meet high defensive and tactical demands has limited his impact in certain systems. He explained that the intensity required to operate effectively without possession was a major challenge for the forward during his time in Germany. Despite the criticism, Hasenhüttl was quick to highlight Lookman’s strengths, describing his attacking output as elite. He praised the Nigerian international’s ability in one-on-one situations and his clinical finishing, calling them his most dangerous attributes in the final third. Lookman’s early loan spell at Leipzig was particularly productive, with the player showing flashes of brilliance before consistency issues emerged in later periods under different coaching systems. At Atlético Madrid, Simeone has reportedly made similar observations, insisting that Lookman must improve his defensive discipline and overall team contribution.

The Argentine coach is known for his strict tactical structure, where forwards are expected to contribute significantly without the ball as well as in attack. However, recent performances suggest gradual improvement, with Lookman adapting to the high-intensity demands of Spanish football and showing better balance in his overall game. Since his early struggles in Germany, Lookman has rebuilt his career impressively, earning recognition at club and international level, including strong performances for the Super Eagles.

His development has seen him transition from a promising academy graduate into a key attacking figure in Europe, despite ongoing debates about his tactical discipline. While opinions differ on his defensive contribution, both Hasenhüttl and Simeone agree on one thing: Lookman’s attacking talent is undeniable, but his evolution into a complete forward depends on mastering the demanding off-ball responsibilities required at the highest level.