The first MLS head coaching change of June has occurred.
Gonzalo Pineda is out as Atlanta United head coach, the Eastern Conference club announced Monday. Pineda spent close to three years as head coach of the Five Stripes after originally joining from the Seattle Sounders in August 2021.
Pineda ranks as Atlanta United’s longest-tenured head coach after posting a 38-40-29 record across all competitions. He helped the Five Stripes reach the MLS Cup Playoffs in two of three seasons.
Assistant coach Rob Valentino will take over as interim coach while goalkeeper coach Liam Curran also remains with the club. Assistant coaches Diego de la Torre and Eugenio Villazon have departed the club.
“We are grateful to Gonzalo for his commitment and dedication to the club over the last four seasons. He has been an exemplary ambassador for the organization, and we want to thank him for his contributions to the club,” Atlanta United CEO and president Garth Lagerwey said in a release.
“We made this decision in an effort to move the team in a new direction. As we continue to evaluate all aspects of our sporting operation, Rob will have our full support to turn our season around in the second half.”
The move comes with Atlanta United sitting 13th in the Eastern Conference table with 16 points earned. They’ve also lost five-straight home matches at the traditionally jam-packed Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
