Tata Martino stepped down as coach of Inter Miami in 2024. Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA
Tata Martino will return for a second stint as coach of Atlanta United, the team announced Thursday.
The 62-year-old Argentine, who stepped down as Inter Miami coach in 2024, coached at Atlanta United from 2016 to 2018. He led the 5-Stripes to the MLS Cup in 2018.
Martino will replace Ronny Deila, who was fired last month. The 5-Stripes went 5-16-13 and finished 14th in the 2025 Eastern Conference standings.
“We are thrilled to welcome Tata back to Atlanta United,” Atlanta United owner Arthur M. Blank said in a news release.
“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.”
The 5-Stripes led MLS in points, goals and goal differential over Martino’s previous two seasons in charge. He earned MLS Coach of the Year honors in 2018.
“I want to thank Arthur and [sporting director] Chris Henderson 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 led Inter Miami to the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 Supporters’ Shield. He also coached Herons star Lionel Messi at Barcelona and as manager of the Argentina national team.
His other managerial stops include stints as coach of the Mexico and Paraguay national teams and as coach of several clubs throughout Argentina and Paraguay.
