Gonzalo Pineda new Atlanta United head coach – “Has thorough understanding of MLS”

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Now official 

It is now official. Major League Soccer side Atlanta United have found a replacement for Gabriel Heinze, who was fired in July. As anticipated, on Thursday the club announced that they had signed Seattle Sounders assistant coach Gonzalo Pineda. Current caretaker manager Rob Valentino and goalkeeper coach Liam Curran will stay on the staff. Pineda will, however, add former Cafetaleros de Chiapas head coach Diego de la Torre to the Atlanta coaching staff. 

“We’re thrilled to welcome Gonzalo as the head coach of Atlanta United,” Atlanta United president Darren Eales said in a club statement. “Building off an illustrious international playing career, Gonzalo joined Seattle’s coaching staff and played an integral role in the club’s success over the last few years. He has a thorough understanding of MLS and has proven to be one of the top assistants in the league. He is a great fit for our club from a cultural and technical perspective, and we’re excited to have a long-term commitment in place.”

A 45-times Mexican national team player, the 38-year-old has been Brian Schmetzer‘s assistant at the Seattle Sounders since 2017. “While this is a day I thought may happen, it is not easy to say goodbye to such accomplished players like Djimi [Traore] (he is leaving the club for Europe) and Gonzo, who transformed stellar playing careers into becoming two of the best young coaches in MLS. I could not be happier for the new opportunities in front of them,” Schmetzer said in a Sounders’ club statement.

Pity Martínez, Barco, Almirón & Co.: Atlanta United’s record transfer

Eric Remedi | Signed from CA Banfield in 2018 | Fee: $1.93m

&copy Atlanta United FC

Leandro González Pírez | Signed from Estudiantes in 2017 | Fee: $2m

&copy Inter Miami CF

Héctor Villalba | Signed from San Lorenzo in 2016 | Fee: $2.75m

&copy Atlanta United FC

Alan Franco | Signed from Independiente in 2021 | Fee: $2.8m

&copy imago images

Franco Ibarra | Signed from Argentinos Juniors in 2021 | Fee: $3m

&copy Atlanta United

Erik López | Signed from Olimpia in 2020 | Fee: $3.7m

&copy imago images

Josef Martínez | Signed from Torino in 2017 | Fee: $4.95m

&copy Atlanta United FC

Santiago Sosa | Signed from River Plate in 2021 | Fee: $5.45m

&copy imago images

Marcelino Moreno | Signed from Lanús in 2020 | Fee: $7m

&copy Atlanta United

Miguel Almirón | Signed from Lanús in 2017 | Fee: $8.25m

&copy imago images

Luiz Araújo | Signed from Lille in 2021 | Fee: $12m

&copy imago images

Ezequiel Barco | Signed from Independiente in 2018 | Fee: $13.5m

&copy Katie Gillen/Atlanta United

Pity Martínez | Signed from River Plate in 2019 | Fee: $15.95m

&copy Atlanta United FC

Pineda “has great tactical mind” – Has played 56 games in MLS 

Pineda became Atlanta United’s prime target after negotiations with former Roma head coach Paulo Fonseca fell through earlier this summer. But unlike Fonseca, Pineda comes with significant MLS experience. The former midfielder has not only coached in the league but also played 56 games for the Sounders. “He has a thorough knowledge of MLS and the league’s player pool, including our team,” technical director Carlos Bocanegra said in a club statement. “We’re confident he can make a smooth transition to our club.”



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