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Jeff Carlisle
Atlanta United is reportedly in the final stages of reappointing Gerardo “Tata” Martino as the club’s head coach, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.
The Argentine is set to take over for Ronny Deila, who was dismissed after a disappointing season in which the team managed only 28 points from 34 matches, finishing just two points above last-placed D.C. United in the Eastern Conference standings.
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Despite having the league’s third-largest payroll at $27.6 million, Atlanta struggled throughout the season.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was the first to report this development.
Martino, aged 62, was selected from five candidates, including former Portland Timbers coach Giovanni Savarese.
He first joined Atlanta United in 2016 as their inaugural manager, leading the team to an MLS Cup victory in 2018. After that season, he left to manage the Mexico men’s national team.
The experienced coach has been out of a job since leaving Inter Miami last November after their unexpected playoff exit against Atlanta.
Throughout his career, Martino has also managed clubs such as Argentine team Newell’s Old Boys, Barcelona, and the Argentina men’s national team.
Atlanta United hopes that Martino’s return will help restore stability to a team that has cycled through four different managers since his departure, having only qualified for the playoffs in three of the last six seasons.