Lionel Messi skilled the abrupt departure of coach Tata Martino on the finish of the 2025 season, the identical supervisor who guided Inter Miami to their first two main titles. Heading into the 2026 marketing campaign, the Argentine star may reportedly face his former boss as a rival in Main League Soccer.
Following the 1–1 draw towards D.C. United, Atlanta United introduced on Sunday, October 19, the dismissal of coach Ronny Deila, who had solely been appointed in December 2024. After enduring the worst season within the membership’s historical past, the board has reportedly set its sights on a well-recognized face as its prime managerial goal for 2026.
In line with The Athletic, Gerardo “Tata” Martino has emerged because the main candidate to fill the vacant head coach place at Atlanta United. Whereas different names are additionally being thought-about and interviews are ongoing, the report notes that Martino stays the frontrunner to take over the membership he as soon as led to glory.
Atlanta United have simply wrapped up their worst season since becoming a member of MLS in 2017. Regardless of key signings comparable to Alexei Miranchuk, Emmanuel Latte Lath, and the return of Miguel Almirón, the 5 Stripes struggled to show issues round, ending with solely 5 wins, 13 attracts, and 16 losses, rating twenty ninth, simply above D.C. United. The disappointing marketing campaign has prompted the entrance workplace to return to its roots.
Head coach Gerardo Martino of the Atlanta United.
Martino was Atlanta United’s first-ever head coach, main the membership to its maiden title with the 2018 MLS Cup and shortly incomes league-wide respect. After a profitable stint with Messi’s Inter Miami, the Argentine tactician is presently a free agent, and with hypothesis mounting over a possible MLS return, Atlanta seems desperate to convey him again to the sidelines.
see additionally
Lionel Messi compares a soccer legend to Michael Jordan when requested who the GOATs are in addition to himself
Martino already linked with MLS return
Martino introduced his departure from Inter Miami late in 2024, citing “private causes” for his resolution to return to Argentina. With these issues now seemingly resolved, the veteran coach has as soon as once more been linked with a transfer again to MLS.
Earlier in October, studies related Martino with Son Heung-min’s Los Angeles FC following Steve Cherundolo’s announcement that he would depart the membership on the finish of the 2025 season. Though preliminary talks reportedly stalled, Atlanta United now appear poised to make the strongest push to safe Martino’s return to the league.
