Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino is Atlanta United F.C.’s first head coach

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Over the course of several hours, the two executives building Atlanta’s first Major League Soccer team and Martino, an experienced Argentine coach who’s lead his country’s national team and F.C. Barcelona, talked. They ate. They watched Martino, who arrived with a six-inch thick notebook of MLS rosters and other information, use salt and pepper shakers to depict his strategies. They saw him sign his autograph on dinner plates that fans brought to their table.  And they walked out impressed.

“I felt he’d be a great fit, both from the cultural perspective and soccer perspective,” Eales said yesterday morning after officially naming Martino as AUFC’s first-ever head coach, checking off one of the most important items on the team’s to-do list at it prepares for next year’s inaugural season.

The 53-year-old coach and former player began his coaching career in charge of the Paraguayan national team and Argentine club Newell’s Old Boys. He spent a brief spell at F.C. Barcelona, one of the world’s most successful soccer clubs before leading the Argentina men’s national team. Martino resigned from that position in July after leading the team to the finals in the 2015 Copa America and 2016 Copa America Centenario.

Eales said he connected with Martino through a mutual friend — he declined to say whom — and jumped on a plane that weekend with Bocanegra for Argentina. Martino impressed them because he favors an aggressive, “fast-and-fluid” style of play, has an ability to recruit talent, and is experienced in working with young players. (In addition, Eales said, he was “an alright bloke.”) Bocanegra also said Martino’s work at Newell’s, where the coach worked closely to develop young players, impressed him, as AUFC is focused on building a strong youth academy.

Martino, who spoke through a translator this morning, says he was attracted by the idea of starting a team from scratch and the challenge of building a brand-new roster. Mercedes-Benz Stadium, team infrastructure, and respect for the game also played a role. He wants to spend his first 100 days as coach establishing that roster and instilling a sound soccer philosophy at the club.

Speaking with reporters afterward, Martino said he hasn’t decided whether to settle into the city, suburbs, or a rural area. He hasn’t visited many parts of Atlanta yet, just “a lot of nice restaurants,” but wants to see more of the city. Starting soon, Bocanegra says, Martino and other staff will begin English lessons to reduce the language barrier they might experience with players and staff. He’ll have help at home; Martino’s wife is an English teacher.