In a major coaching move, Atlanta United has appointed Ronny Deila as the club’s new head coach through the 2027 MLS season. The 49-year-old Norwegian brings impressive credentials to Atlanta, most notably leading New York City FC to the 2021 MLS Cup title during his tenure there.
Club president and CEO Garth Lagerwey expressed excitement about the hire, highlighting Deila’s proven track record of success across multiple leagues worldwide:
“We’re thrilled to welcome Ronny as the new head coach of Atlanta United. He has a proven track record of winning in multiple leagues around the world, including the 2021 MLS Cup with NYCFC, and his knowledge of MLS was a key factor in our search.”
– Garth Lagerwey, Atlanta United President and CEO
Accomplished Winner
Over his 17-year coaching career, Deila has amassed an impressive haul of six trophies across various competitions:
- 4 league titles
- 2 domestic cup titles
His most prominent achievements came at Scottish powerhouse Celtic, where he won back-to-back Scottish Premiership titles in 2014-15 and 2015-16, along with the Scottish League Cup in 2015. Deila then made the jump to MLS with NYCFC in 2020.
MLS Cup Glory
Deila’s crowning achievement in his two seasons with NYCFC was undoubtedly capturing the club’s first-ever MLS Cup championship in 2021. He guided a star-studded squad featuring the likes of Valentín Castellanos, Maxi Moralez, and Sean Johnson to a thrilling penalty shootout victory over the Portland Timbers.
That playoff run showcased Deila’s tactical acumen and ability to get the best out of his players in high-pressure moments. Atlanta United will hope he can bring that championship pedigree and winning mentality to a club that expects to compete for trophies year in and year out.
Aligned with Atlanta’s Philosophy
In discussing what made Deila the right choice, Lagerwey emphasized the alignment between the coach’s style of play and the club’s overarching philosophy:
“We believe his style of play aligns with the club’s philosophy as we look to build a team that will compete for trophies consistently.”
Deila is known for favoring a high-energy, attacking brand of soccer that should mesh well with the talent on Atlanta’s roster. The Norwegian expressed his eagerness to get started in his new role:
“I want to thank Arthur M. Blank and Garth Lagerwey for this opportunity and couldn’t be more excited to join Atlanta United. This is a club with great ownership, excellent facilities and the ambition to succeed and continue to drive the league forward. I’m happy to return to MLS, a competitive league that I enjoy, and I’m eager to arrive and get to work with our group of players.”
– Ronny Deila, New Atlanta United Head Coach
New Era in Atlanta
Deila’s appointment signals the dawn of a new era for Atlanta United, a club that burst onto the MLS scene with instant success but has fallen short of expectations in recent campaigns. The Five Stripes faithful will hope Deila is the man to restore the club to the summit of MLS and build a perennial contender.
With Deila’s championship experience, tactical prowess, and alignment with Atlanta’s ambitious philosophy, don’t be surprised to see the 2023 MLS Cup odds shifting in the Five Stripes’ favor. The Ronny Deila era is officially underway in Atlanta.
