Figured this needs its own thread. https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018...-head-coach-tata-martino-will-move-after-2018
It may not have been possible to hold of the announcement because of leaks, but I would have thought this would be much better if it waited until after Atlanta is done with post season play.
A) F***. B) F*****g f*** f***. C) There's another article on the MLS page that offers why the announcement was made now. D) My gut says I'd prefer Sampoli over GBS. Definitely someone who would appeal to Latin American prospects. E) We knew this day would come and I'm grateful to Tata for his contribution to United's success. F) If he goes to El Tri I wish him nothing but sorrow and frustration and miserable, miserable failure. G) F***.
Conversely, it's possible the clarity ignites the fire in the team to seize this opportunity before he and (likely) Almiron leave.
Think how much the top of the East has been messed with due to coaching moves and speculation this season. NYCFC's experience helps us better appreciate the Red Bull machine - and Armas. If I were Atlanta United, I wouldn't want to mess with the winning vibe this way right now. And how much distraction can the Columbus Crew handle?
Leaving the outcome up in the air is far worse than confirming a departure. Having watched a similar story play out with Arsene Wenger for the last 5 years, I'd say Atlanta made the right call here.
Announcement timing is a bit weird but then again I feel like soccer culture as a whole is pretty conducive to the revolving door approach for coach movement. In another sport here I'd be more likely to wonder why he took the job to begin with if he was okay with leaving after a mere two years and (possibly) no league championship. But, like I said, that's how soccer often goes, even before MLS's international standing comes into play.
Yeah I find people are usually at their most like motivated after they’ve put in their two week notice.
Putting aside his next gig and comp package. A. Tata put more than two years into the results he's getting now with Atlanta. B. He's usually moved along on roughly this schedule, right? C. He could easily have thought his market value would not get higher... in the playoffs, or the 2019 season with so many key players leaving, or in CCL. Look at Vanney. D. He got to see the dome open.
Having watched both up close, you definitely want GBS over Sampaoli. Guille has been frustrating his own ways, but Sampaoli is a fraud.
Guille to Columbus! But I do think he is the better coach. Citeh, Columbus, and Atlanta all with some distractions heading to the POs. So DC v NYRB in the EC final?
As a Union fan a DC vs NYRB matchup would be hard to take - unless we can get another early blizzard and bring Roy Miller back. (That was one of my favorite two-legged series.)
It will be really interesting to see how loyal and enthused ATL fans will remain if the team falters under a new coach. When ATL came to SJ, I was enthralled by ATL’s breathtaking, relentless style of play. Nobody else in MLS plays like that. Seeing them play in person was so much better than what i’d seen on TV. But it also seemed like a fortuitous amalgam of Tata, Almiron, Martinez, and Gressel. I assume that the union of those parts can’t be replaced, and that the next version of ATL won’t be as exciting. Anyhow, we’ll see if lightning strikes twice in ATL.
If they get Pity Martinez as rumored they won't miss Almiron one bit. Barco seems to be coming into his own as well. As long as they don't hire a conservative coach they should keep it going attacking wise.