Atlanta United have landed their new head coach after Gonzalo Pineda was sacked during the 2024 season.

The Five Stripes have hired former NYCFC boss Ronny Deila, the club announced on Friday.

Deila won MLS Cup with the Bronx club in 2021 before departing the club for Belgian outfit Standard Liège. From Liège, Deila moved up the ladder in Belgium to take over as Club Brugge boss, but departed just before the championship playoffs in the 2023/24 campaign.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Ronny as the new head coach of Atlanta United,” Club President and CEO Garth Lagerwey said.

“He has a proven track record of winning in multiple leagues around the world, including the 2021 MLS Cup with NYCFC, and his knowledge of MLS was a key factor in our search.

“We believe his style of play aligns with the club’s philosophy as we look to build a team that will compete for trophies consistently.”

Atlanta underperformed massively in the regular season in the 2024 campaign, just managing to scrape their way into the MLS Cup Playoffs after coming into the season with lofty expectations.

Deila will be tasked with leading the club back to where they feel they belong in the Eastern Conference — fighting at the top.

📸 KURT DESPLENTER – AFP or Licensors