Tata Returns: Gerardo Martino Named Atlanta United Head Coach Through 2027

Atlanta United is bringing back a familiar face — and a proven winner. The club announced today that it has appointed Gerardo “Tata” Martino as head coach, signing the Argentine to a contract through the 2027 MLS season.

Martino returns to Atlanta after leading the Five Stripes to one of the most successful launches in MLS history, capped by the club’s first MLS Cup title in 2018. His coaching career spans more than 25 years across South America, Europe, and North America, with 11 total trophies to his name. Martino will report to Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tata back to Atlanta United,” said Arthur M. Blank, Owner and Chairman of Blank Family of Businesses. “Tata is an exceptional manager who set the standard for excellence within our club and helped establish our identity in Major League Soccer.

There’s a lot of work to do for us to get back to championship form — this moment isn’t about revisiting the past but about building a new foundation for the future. Tata embodies our club’s values and championship mindset, and we’re excited for what’s ahead with him back at the helm.”

A Historic Return

As the first head coach in club history, Martino guided Atlanta United to a historic expansion season in 2017 and an MLS Cup championship in 2018, the fastest an expansion club had lifted the trophy since 1998.

Under his leadership, Atlanta racked up 124 points, 140 goals, and a +56 goal differential over two seasons — the highest marks in MLS during that span. He was named MLS Coach of the Year in 2018.

“As our coaching search evolved, it became clear that Tata was the right leader to restore the standard of excellence that he helped create,” Henderson said. “His teams have a clear identity, and his leadership, experience, and understanding of our league align perfectly with our club values.”

Tata’s Take

“I want to thank Arthur and Chris for the opportunity to return to a club and city that hold such great memories,” Martino said. “This is a different project than before, but with strong ownership and collaboration across the club, our goal remains the same — to build a winning team that makes our fans proud every time they walk into Mercedes-Benz Stadium.”

A Proven Winner

At the club level, Martino has managed some of the biggest names and stages in world football — including FC Barcelona, Newell’s Old Boys, Inter Miami CF, and of course Atlanta United.

Most recently, he led Inter Miami to the first two trophies in club history, winning the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield. Miami also set the MLS single-season points record (74) and scored a league-best 79 goals under his leadership.

His time at Barcelona saw the club finish second in La Liga with 100 goals and a +67 goal differential, while winning the Spanish Super Cup and advancing to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. In Argentina, Martino turned around his hometown club Newell’s Old Boys, winning the Torneo Final and leading them to the semifinals of the 2013 Copa Libertadores.

Before his time abroad, Martino made his name in Paraguay, capturing four league titles with Club Libertad and Cerro Porteño between 2002 and 2006.

International Pedigree

Martino’s success extends well beyond the club level. He’s managed three national teams — Paraguay, Argentina, and Mexico — all with distinction.

With Paraguay, he led the nation to its best-ever World Cup finish (quarterfinals, 2010) and the Copa América Final in 2011. As Argentina’s manager, Martino returned the team to No. 1 in the FIFA World Rankings and guided them to back-to-back Copa América finals (2015, 2016).

From 2019 to 2022, he led Mexico to a 42-11-13 record, winning the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup and qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Full Circle

A legend in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, Martino was a standout midfielder at Newell’s Old Boys, where he still holds the club record for appearances (505) and won three Primera División titles.

Now, he returns to the city where he helped ignite one of Major League Soccer’s most passionate fan bases — and where expectations once again are sky-high.