Atlanta United Announces Head Coach Ronny Deila’s Technical Staff for 2025 Season

Atlanta United has finalized its technical staff under new head coach Ronny Deila for the 2025 season. The club announced that Kenny Miller and Elliot Parish will join the team as assistant coach and goalkeeping coach, respectively, while Matt Lawrey and Carl Robinson will return as assistant coaches. The team’s preseason will officially begin on Saturday, Jan. 11, with the first training session open to media scheduled for Monday, Jan. 13.

Kenny Miller: Assistant Coach

Miller brings a wealth of experience, having most recently served as an assistant coach under Deila at Al Wahda FC in the UAE Pro League. His coaching career began in 2018 when he served as a player-manager for Scottish club Livingston FC. He has since worked alongside Robinson on coaching staffs with the Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia, as well as with Falkirk and Huddersfield Town.

A prolific striker during his 23-year playing career, Miller amassed 249 goals and 86 assists across 780 club appearances. He was a key figure at clubs like Rangers and Wolverhampton Wanderers and earned 70 caps for Scotland, scoring 18 international goals. His extensive experience as both a player and coach makes him a valuable addition to Deila’s staff.

Elliot Parish: Goalkeeping Coach

Parish reunites with Deila after working together at Al Wahda FC, where he served as goalkeeping coach. Prior to that, Parish held the same role at St. Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership, where he ended his playing career in 2023. A product of Aston Villa’s Academy, Parish made his professional debut for Lincoln City in 2011. Over his playing career, he totaled 178 appearances across England and Scotland and represented England at the U-20 level.

Matt Lawrey: Returning Assistant Coach

Lawrey continues his journey with Atlanta United, having joined interim head coach Rob Valentino’s staff in 2024. Before his role as assistant coach, he served as Atlanta United’s Academy Director from 2021 to 2024, overseeing operations for the Academy and Atlanta United 2. Lawrey’s deep connection with the club began in 2016 during its inaugural season when he served as head coach for the U-12 team. He has since been promoted to lead roles with the U-15s and U-19s and also served as an interim assistant coach for ATL UTD 2 during the 2020 USL season.

Carl Robinson: Returning Assistant Coach

Robinson, a former Wales international midfielder, is a seasoned coach with over a decade of experience. He began his coaching career with Vancouver Whitecaps in 2012, becoming head coach in 2013. During his tenure, Robinson led the Whitecaps to three MLS Cup Playoff appearances, a Canadian Championship title in 2015, and a Concacaf Champions Cup semi-final appearance in 2017.

Robinson’s coaching career also includes roles in Australia with the Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers. He returned to the U.S. in 2023 as an assistant coach at D.C. United under Wayne Rooney and followed Rooney to Birmingham City for the 2023-24 season. Robinson also brings international experience as an assistant coach with the Wales National Team and holds a UEFA Pro License.

With a mix of returning and new faces, Deila’s staff boasts a wealth of experience both domestically and internationally. Atlanta United fans will be eager to see how this talented group prepares the team for a successful 2025 season.