Atlanta United Names Ronny Deila as Head Coach Through 2027 MLS Season

Atlanta United has officially announced Ronny Deila as the club’s new head coach. With over 17 years of head coaching experience across multiple countries and six trophies to his name, including four league titles and two domestic cup wins, Deila brings a wealth of expertise to the Five Stripes. The Norwegian manager, who led New York City FC to the 2021 MLS Cup, returns to Major League Soccer (MLS) under a contract that will keep him in Atlanta through the 2027 season. He will report to Atlanta United President and CEO Garth Lagerwey.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Ronny as the new head coach of Atlanta United,” Lagerwey said. “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. 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.”

A Career Defined by Success

Deila’s coaching journey began in 2008 when he was named head coach of Norwegian first division club Strømsgodset. Over six years and 206 matches, he guided the team to significant success, including a Norwegian Cup title in 2010 and the club’s first league championship in 43 years in 2013.

In 2014, Deila took charge of Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, leading the team to consecutive league titles in 2014-15 and 2015-16, as well as a Scottish League Cup victory in 2015. During his tenure, Celtic dominated the league, finishing the 2014-15 season with 92 points, 17 ahead of second place. Across 118 matches at Celtic, Deila averaged 2.12 points per game.

“I want to thank Arthur M. Blank and Garth Lagerwey for this opportunity and couldn’t be more excited to join Atlanta United,” Deila said. “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.”

MLS and International Experience

Deila first joined MLS in 2020 as head coach of New York City FC. He led NYCFC to back-to-back playoff appearances, culminating in their 2021 MLS Cup victory over the Portland Timbers. Over two and a half seasons, he amassed a 46-29-15 (W-L-D) record.

Following his MLS success, Deila moved to Europe to coach Standard Liege in Belgium’s top division. In 2022-23, he led the club to a sixth-place finish in the Belgian Pro League, posting a 17-14-9 record. The following season, Deila took charge of Club Brugge, where he recorded a 28-10-11 record with an average of 1.94 points per game before departing in March 2024. Most recently, he coached Al-Wahda in the United Arab Emirates Pro League, achieving a 5-2-3 record.

A Player-Turned-Coach

Before transitioning to coaching, Deila enjoyed a 20-year playing career in Norway, making 352 professional appearances and scoring 32 goals. He spent the majority of his career at Odds BK, where he played from 1993 to 2004. Deila also had stints with Viking and Strømsgodset before retiring as a player-coach at Sparta Bragerøen.

With a proven track record of success across leagues and a deep understanding of MLS, Deila’s appointment signals Atlanta United’s ambition to return to trophy-winning form. Fans and players alike will be eager to see how his leadership shapes the future of the club.