Atlanta United wanted a statement manager when they first entered the world of Major League Soccer. Their plan was clear: exploit the young talent of South America, build a fast-paced team full of hungry players, and pair them with a manager who is an icon of the region.
Tata Martino was that man. And plenty of Atlanta’s stars admitted that they signed for Atlanta almost exclusively because they wanted to work with Martino. He was a manager who they believed could develop their games and prepare them for a move to Europe. Josef Martinez and Miguel Almiron are now the chief benefactors of that.