ATLANTA (AP) – Hoping to recreate the good luck of his first coach, Atlanta United on Friday hired Argentine Gabriel Heinze to lead the Five Stripes, who had a depressing season just two years after winning the MLS Cup championship.
Heinze, 42, has spent more than two seasons leading Vélez Sarsfield in Argentina’s first division and will be the fourth head coach in Atlanta United’s history, succeeding interim coach Stephen Glass.
Heinze played with United’s first coach, Tata Martino, and is expected to return to the offensive taste that worked so well in the first two seasons of the franchise, which led to a sophomore championship and record attendance that is among the highest in the world.
“In large part, we have launched the network for this vital nomination, and Gabriel temporarily has candidate number one,” Atlanta United President Darren Eales said in a statement. “Gabriel is one of south American football’s most productive coaches and we are very happy to have selected Atlanta United. “
Glass took over the team in July after Frank de Boer fell after three direct losses at the MLS Is Back tournament in Florida.
But United finished with a 4-10-4 Cup to finish 6-13-4 in the league, without the MLS Cup playoffs for the first time in its four-year history.
Heinze has become the favorite to take over in Atlanta after taking Vélez Sarsfield to a 3rd position in the 24-team First Division, despite having one of the youngest groups in the league.
“I think my football philosophy is aligned with the club’s vision and that its design and amenities are world-class,” said Heinze, who will be officially unveiled in Atlanta next week. “I look forward to bringing together players, staff and enthusiasts and getting to the painting in 2021. »
After a career in the game that included 72 appearances for the Argentine national team and club appearances at Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, Heinze coached in 2014 with Argentine club Godoy Cruz and also coached Argentinos Juniors for a promotion to the time of the country. Division.
In Alanta, he takes over a club that reached the East Conference final, Boer, in 2019, but fell after a knee injury that ended the season to star ahead of Josef Martinez in this year’s first MLS match.
The team sold one of its top acquisitions, Pity Martínez, to a Saudi club after not meeting expectations. United finished Wednesday with a 1-0 win over Club America in the CONCACAF Champions League, overdue by a pandemic, wasting the quarter-final series 3-1 overall.
United has Heinze to repair the brilliance of the franchise.
“Since introducing Atlanta United, our purpose has been transparent to play with a competitive and offensive playing taste,” said technical director Carlos Bocanegra. “Gabriel adapts to this mold and has a dynamic gaming taste that aligns with the identity of our club. . “
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