Big Changes in Atlanta as United Dismisses Pineda

This morning, after a devastating 3-2 loss against Charlotte FC on Sunday night, Atlanta United announced they have parted ways with head coach Gonzalo Pineda. Pineda had been with the club since August 2021, but a 34-34-29 record was enough for Atlanta United to decide to move in a “new direction.” While Pineda achieved some success, including a Campeones Cup victory, the on-field performance has been inconsistent and below expectations.. Assistant coach Rob Valentino will take over in the interim as the club embarks on a global search for a new permanent head coach.

According to the official statement, Pineda is being let go in an effort to take the team in a “new direction” after a disappointing 2023 season so far.

Let’s dig into the details of this abrupt coaching change and what it means for the future of Atlanta United.

The announcement that Atlanta United has fired head coach Gonzalo Pineda came not as a shock to many. With Pineda dismissed, along with assistant coaches Diego de la Torre and Eugenio Villazon, Atlanta United is on the hunt for a new head coach to turn things around.

The firing of Pineda signifies a pivotal moment for Atlanta United. The club now has the opportunity to bring in a head coach that can get the team back to the heights they achieved in their first couple of seasons in MLS. With players like Thiago Almada, Brooks Lennon, Xande Silva, and Brad Guzan, Atlanta United has the talent to compete for MLS Cups. But they need the right coach and system in place to make that happen. This coaching change could be the catalyst that sparks Atlanta United’s revival.

Valentino is no stranger to the club, having joined as an assistant for the USL side in 2018 before moving up to the first team. He even had a brief stint as interim head coach last season, going 4-2-2 during that time. The familiarity should help provide some stability in the coming weeks.

The new coach will inherit a team sitting 13th in the Eastern Conference, so turning things around quickly will be a top priority. A strong finish to the regular season and qualifying for the playoffs would go a long way toward energizing the fan base after a disappointing start.

Beyond results, the coach must share the club’s vision for an attacking style of play and developing homegrown talent. Integrating young players from the academy and USL side into the first team will be an important part of the job. Experience in MLS is a plus but not absolutely required, as seen in recent hires around the league.

In the end, Atlanta United want a coach who can make the most of the resources and talent on hand to build a sustainable winner. The right candidate is out there, whether from within MLS or abroad, up-and-coming or established. The search starts tomorrow.