Atlanta United saw a huge figure depart following their 2018 MLS Cup Finals victory, with head coach Tata Martino leaving for the Mexican National Team. However, the Five Stripes look set to name a replacement for Martino as they now prepare to defend their title.
Former Netherlands National Team player and Ajax manager Frank De Boer is indicated to be the favorite to take over, the Athletic reported on Friday. De Boer has been a top candidate before the MLS Cup took place and recently was in town to be interviewed for the job, according to the report.
De Boer was previously reported to turn down the managerial job at Belgian outfit Anderlecht, after being out of work since Sept. 2017. His latest stint came in the English Premier League with Crystal Palace, but he only lasted ten weeks at the helm before being sacked.
His most successful period was during a six-year period with Ajax, where he won four Eredivisie titles. He also served as an assistant with the Dutch National Team, and served one season as manager of Serie A’s Inter Milan.
De Boer is not the only candidate to be interested in the position as former Boca Juniors manager Guillermo Barros Schelotto has also been linked to the job. However, Atlanta team president Darren Eales stated back in November that he wanted the next manager to carry on Martino’s tactical approach of possession with high-pressing.
The Five Stripes will kick off life without Martino on Feb. 21st as they face Herediano in the Concacaf Champions League group stage.
It seems to me that Atlanta is getting better manager prospects than the USMNT did. Maybe we should have their GM pick our national team coach in the future. BTW, De Boer is almost certain to be pretty fluent in English.
Can someone explain to a novice why De Boer is more ideal as a gaffer than Schelotto?
Style of play. Ajax plays that Arsenal free following style. So they think he can pretty much keep that going in Atlanta since they play like that already. I never rate managers in the prem so him not working there doesn’t matter to me because unless they have huge budgets because most teams are fighting not to be relegated so that dictates style.
People are going to turn their noses up at De Boer because they will only see his failures at Inter Milan and Crystal Palace. But let me tell you….he won 4 titles in a row at Ajax including a Dutch Cup. His team continually had to rebuild as they sold and bought young talent. De Boer’s sides pressed high, were possession based, defended well, and played with absolute fluidity from back-to-Front. I think he is ideal for the model of play and club ATL are shooting for. I loved the link to Schelotto and would have no problem with him but……de Boer seems tailormade for their roster more so than GBS. I bet this opens the door for GBS for the Galaxy.
I’m not a Galaxy fan, but I do hope Schelotto goes there or elsewhere. The quality of coaching in MLS elevating is a huge factor for the league, it’s credibility and luring/keeping quality talent.