Garth Lagerwey Steps Down as CEO of Atlanta United FC Due to Health Concerns
Garth Lagerwey will not resume his position as CEO of Atlanta United FC next season, as confirmed by a club representative.
The 52-year-old executive was diagnosed with cancer in July, leading to his initial leave of absence announced by the club. Although he resumed some duties later in the season, Lagerwey took a second leave in October to focus entirely on his health.
The spokesperson noted that the search for Lagerwey’s replacement is currently underway. The new hire will not only oversee Atlanta United but also the newly announced NWSL expansion team, which is set to begin play in 2028. Staff hiring for the NWSL team is expected to start in 2026.
Lagerwey joined Atlanta United in 2022 after achieving significant success with Real Salt Lake and Seattle Sounders FC. Under his leadership, RSL won the MLS Cup in 2010 despite operating on a modest budget, and they were runners-up in the 2012 Concacaf Champions League. He later joined the Sounders in late 2014, guiding the team to two MLS Cup titles in 2016 and 2019, as well as the Concacaf Champions League in 2022.
His appointment was seen as a turning point for Atlanta United, which had been struggling to maintain the high standards set during its early years, including winning the MLS Cup in 2018 and the U.S. Open Cup in 2019.
Despite hopes for improvement, Lagerwey could not reverse Atlanta’s decline. The team showed signs of recovery in 2023 and achieved a notable playoff upset against Supporters’ Shield winners Inter Miami in 2024. However, they concluded the season in 14th place in the Eastern Conference, finishing 25 points behind Orlando City for the final playoff position.
Notably, this decline occurred even as Atlanta continued to be one of the highest-spending teams in the league, with a recent salary report from the MLS Players Association indicating they ranked third with an expenditure of $28.48 million.
Despite Lagerwey’s departure, the front office remains strong, with Chief Soccer Officer Chris Henderson, hired last December, poised to manage roster decisions alongside new head coach Gerardo Martino. The club’s business operations continue under the leadership of Sarah Kate Noftsinger and Dimitrios Efstathiou.
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