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Martino to leave Atlanta United at end of 2018 season

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After weeks of speculation about Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s future, Atlanta United announced the manager won’t be back for a third season.

Martino declined a contract extension with the club amid rumors he’s joining Mexico as its new manager after the Major League Soccer season.

“This was not an easy decision to make, I have enjoyed my time with Atlanta United very much and am proud of what we have accomplished together in such a short time,” Martino said in a club release.

“The decision was not made for financial reasons, negotiations with the front office were transparent and fair. It was simply the right move for me and my family at this time.  The opportunity to build a team from the start does not come along often, and I am grateful to the club and to the fans for putting their trust in me to establish a solid foundation here in Atlanta. What is most important now is that the focus remain on our goals for this season.”

In his second season in charge, Martino has Atlanta United one win away from the Supporters’ Shield, which it can clinch with a victory over Toronto FC on Decision Day.

The Five Stripes clinched a pair of playoff berths under Martino, and they tied the single-season points record with a victory over Chicago on Sunday.

Martino also led the Five Stripes to a berth in the 2019 Concacaf Champions League for recording the best record over the last two seasons.

Atlanta’s search for the second manager in club history will begin immediately, and with the budget and big names it’s been able to attract in its short existence, there should be a wide range of international candidates for the job.

Comments

  1. Huge loss for MLS. Would have liked to see him in concaf against mexican teams Even bigger loss for US mens national team because this guy can tactically rip apart any concacaf team.

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  2. As a ATL fan I’m devastated. As a USMNT fan I’m also devastated now that he’s obviously taking the MXNT job. So what does this say about USSF?

    Martino was available and was open to a move. Did USSF pursue him at all? Or were we tunnel-visioned on English speaking MLS coaches.

    Mexico will soon announce his hiring either before or after his MLS season is over. Waiting for the MLS season to end for a guy with Martino’s experience is perfectly acceptable, however, waiting for the MLS season to end for a coach with the coaching experience of a Berhalter or Ramos is bush league.

    Watching USSF botch this opportunity to get Martino only for him to go to our rival and losing him as my club’s manager is gut wrenching. Worst case scenario for me.

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    • In a strange way I feel like this is kind of like losing Jonathon Gonzolez all over again. Martino was right under USSF/MLS’ nose, and we now know he was open to a move. Bocanegra is on the Athlete’s Council and works with him as ATL TD. USSF had to be aware of his managerial skill and Bocanegra has connections with USSF for sure. How does he go to MX if he wanted another NT job. It wasn’t the money. It wasn’t the ridiculous media pressure. It wasn’t the location. It now becomes more apparent that the ‘Must speak English’ comment seems to be directed towards the possibility of a Martino hiring.

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      • “It was simply the right move for me and my family at this time.” Doesn’t sound like if he is headed to Mexico that he was interested in the US job. I always felt like the “needs to speak English” was US cover for not being able to land Tata. You have to also take into account the political climate towards Hispanics in America at this time is not fabulous, could be that there was nothing US Soccer could do to overcome good old American ethnocentrism.
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        The other thing you need to consider with ATL is perhaps he didn’t want to rebuild again with Almiron, Martinez, maybe Barco, maybe Gressell all on the way out perhaps ATLs plans for replacement were not up to Tata’s liking.

  3. Left ARG because it was too much pressure and limelight and heads to MLS. Now takes El Tri job, a job known for unrealistic and burdening expectations on a manager.

    Doubt he’s still the manager by Qatar.

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