Atlanta United eyes playoffs with coaching change and championship aspirations intact

“Sometimes a new voice at the top can be a breath of fresh air,” Lagerwey explained. “Basically, I think talent is 80% of the equation and coaching is 20%. But pragmatically, what you can change in the middle of the season is the coach.”

This change in direction is not just a reflection on the previous coaching staff, but rather a calculated move aimed at injecting new energy and a different perspective.

“Because we think we are talented, because we think the group still has a lot of potential, because we think we still have time to qualify for the Playoffs, we thought the change was appropriate,” Lagerwey emphasized.

The road ahead will not be child’s play. Currently, Atlanta United sits 13th in the Eastern Conference with 16 points, four positions below the playoff line and after five consecutive home defeats and just one win in the last eleven matches. However, with 18 games remaining in the regular season and the League Cup to come, the opportunity for a turnaround is very present.

“We have a talented team, we have more potential than we have shown,” Lagerwey said. “The underlying numbers support it. Hopefully we’ll reap the rewards in the second half of the season.”

The club will begin the search for a permanent head coach on Tuesday, with a committee to be led by Lagerwey ultimately presenting the recommendation to club owner and president Arthur Blank. The ideal candidate will not only possess tactical acumen, but will also embody Atlanta United’s core values, exemplified by a relentless pursuit of success.

“We are looking for someone who can get the best performance from their best players,” Lagerwey explained. “I think there’s a huge element to MLS, which is being able to manage and meet all the players where they are, and being able to communicate effectively with them, whether it’s good or bad news.

MLS experience will also be a factor, as navigating the league’s salary cap structure is crucial to Atlanta United’s long-term success and ambitions as a club.

“Someone who has at least some familiarity with MLS is important for a coach in the future. It’s still a very special league in terms of salary cap, and I’m not just talking in dollars but in terms of regulations,” Lagerwey added. “We don’t need a coach who understands that completely, but we need to recognize that reality in terms of team building and what we are capable of doing in the short and long term.”