Gerardo Martino appointed as Atlanta United head coach in MLS

Gerardo "Tata" Martino, the coach who led Atlanta United to the MLS Cup triumph in 2018, has agreed to a two-year deal running until 2027 to resume his role as head coach, the club revealed on Thursday.

The 62-year-old from Argentina takes over from Ronny Deila, who was let go following a disappointing season where Atlanta secured just five wins and ended up 14th out of 15 in the Eastern Conference.

Martino was in charge when Atlanta entered the MLS as a new team in 2017 and guided them to the championship just one year on.

"We are delighted to have Tata return to Atlanta United," said club owner Arthur M. Blank. "Tata is an outstanding manager who established the benchmark for success in our organisation and shaped our place in MLS.

"In the years since, he has kept up his impressive record internationally.

"We have plenty of effort ahead to reclaim our winning ways. This is not about dwelling on history but focusing forward, laying fresh groundwork, and adapting to the ongoing changes needed to compete consistently in MLS."

Martino managed Mexico from January 2019 up to the 2022 World Cup, before taking the helm at Inter Miami in June 2023, coinciding with the debut of Argentine icon Lionel Messi and the team's win in the Leagues Cup.

He left Miami in November last year, resigning for personal motives after an early MLS playoff exit against Atlanta.

Previous roles in his career include Barcelona along with the national sides of Argentina and Paraguay.

"As our search for a coach progressed, it grew evident that Tata stands out as the ideal choice to steer Atlanta United towards the high standards our supporters expect, standards he played a key part in defining," commented sporting director Chris Henderson.