Atlanta United made a bold decision on Monday by firing coach Gonzalo Pineda less than 24 hours after suffering another disappointing loss. The team’s recent 3-2 defeat to Charlotte at home in front of a crowd of over 61,000 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was the final straw. Under Pineda’s guidance, Atlanta United only managed one victory in their last 11 games, which included a surprising win over Inter Miami. This poor run of form has left the team in 13th place in the Eastern Conference and 24th overall in MLS.
Assistant coach Rob Valentino has been named as the interim coach while Atlanta United begins the search for a permanent replacement for Pineda. Club CEO and president Garth Lagerwey expressed gratitude towards Pineda for his commitment and dedication during his four seasons with the team. However, Lagerwey emphasized the need for a new direction and fresh perspective for the struggling team. Valentino will have the full support of the organization as he attempts to turn Atlanta United’s season around in the second half.
In addition to parting ways with Pineda, Atlanta United also fired assistant coaches Diego de la Torre and Eugenio Villazón. However, goalkeeper coach Liam Curran will remain in his current role. Pineda leaves behind a record of 34-34-39 in league play during his tenure as head coach, with two playoff appearances that ended in early elimination.
As Atlanta United moves forward from this coaching shakeup, all eyes will be on Rob Valentino and the team’s performance in the remaining matches of the season. The search for a new head coach will be crucial in determining the direction and future success of the franchise. With their playoff hopes dwindling, Atlanta United is in need of a strong leader to guide them back on track and compete at the highest level in Major League Soccer.
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