Atlanta United has appointed Gerardo “Tata” Martino as the club’s head coach, signing him to a contract through the 2027 Major League Soccer (MLS) season. Martino returns to Atlanta after previously leading the team to an MLS Cup in 2018 and overseeing its successful launch into the league. He brings over 25 years of managerial experience at both club and international levels across South America, Europe, and North America, with a total of 11 trophies won during his career. Martino will report to Chris Henderson, Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director.
“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. Since then, he has continued to achieve success on the global stage. There is a lot of work to do for us to get back to championship form. This moment is not about revisiting the past but about looking ahead and building a new foundation while embracing the continuing evolution of what it takes to contend in MLS on a regular basis. Tata is a steward of our club’s values with a proven leadership record, and he carries a championship mindset to everything he does. We are excited for the future of Atlanta United with Tata back at the helm.”
Martino was Atlanta United’s first head coach, guiding them through their expansion season in 2017 before winning an MLS Cup title in 2018—the fastest by any expansion team since 1998. Under his leadership from 2017-2018, Atlanta achieved league highs in points (124), goals (140), goal differential (+56), and became only the second team at that time to score more than 70 goals in consecutive seasons. He was named MLS Coach of the Year in 2018.
Chris Henderson commented on Martino’s return: “The further along we went in our coaching search, the clearer it became that Tata is the best candidate to lead Atlanta United to the standard of excellence that our fans deserve, a standard that he helped create,” Henderson said. “Tata’s teams have a clear identity, and his playing style and leadership qualities align with our club values. His success, along with his understanding of our league, is well established and we look forward to welcoming him back to Atlanta.”
Martino expressed gratitude for returning: “I want to thank Arthur and Chris for the opportunity to return to the club and a city where we hold wonderful memories and maintain great relationships,” Martino said. “This is a different project than my first stint with the club, however with great ownership and the collaboration of the players, coaching staff and everyone at the club, our objective will always be to form a winning team that makes our fans feel proud and well-represented every time that they go to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.”
Martino’s coaching background includes experience at Newell’s Old Boys (2011-13), FC Barcelona (2013-14), Atlanta United (2017-18), Inter Miami CF (2023-24), as well as stints managing top division clubs in Spain, Argentina, Paraguay, UEFA Champions League competition, Conmebol Copa Libertadores matches.
Most recently at Inter Miami CF from mid-2023 through 2024, Martino led Miami to its first two trophies—the 2023 Leagues Cup shortly after joining mid-season and then clinching the Supporters’ Shield in 2024 after setting an MLS single-season points record at 74 points alongside scoring a league-best 79 goals.
Earlier roles included managing FC Barcelona during which time his side finished second in La Liga for 2013-14 after scoring 100 goals with a +67 goal differential; Barcelona also won that year’s Spanish Super Cup.
At Newell’s Old Boys between 2011–13 he reversed their fortunes from relegation threat into competitive finishes—culminating with winning Argentina’s Torneo Final title plus reaching Copa Libertadores semifinals.
In Paraguay between 2002–06 he secured four national league titles—three with Club Libertad (2002/03/06) plus one for Cerro Porteño (2004).
Internationally Martino managed Paraguay (2007–11)—reaching quarterfinals at FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 (Paraguay’s best-ever result) plus runners-up spot at Copa América in both Argentina stints (2015/16). With Mexico from 2019–22 he achieved Gold Cup victory in his first year while qualifying for FIFA World Cup Qatar.
As a player himself Martino holds Newell’s Old Boys’ all-time appearance record at over five hundred games plus three Argentine Primera Division championships.
