Atlanta United’s hiring process for its first manager has changed from being wrapped up by the end of summer to possibly lasting until Halloween.
Club technical director Carlos Bocanegra said the team had a shortlist of candidates and that the hire could be completed within a few weeks at the unveiling of player Hector Villalba on July 22. President Darren Eales said for months that they hoped to make a hire by the end of the summer.
Eales, while being interviewed on GPB on Monday, said the team may announce the manager within a couple of months.
Two months would coincide within the end of MLS regular season, which points to the possibility that the hire will be someone already working for a team in the league.
Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl reported months ago that Atlanta United had an interest in Stone Mountain’s Josh Wolff, who is an assistant with Columbus. The team at the time declined to comment on the report, as it does with most reports that tie them to a manager or player.
Wolff played at Parkview High, signed with South Carolina, and joined the Chicago Fire in MLS in 1998. He retired in 2012 and began working as an assistant with D.C. United in 2012. He has been with Columbus since 2013.
Atlanta United will begin play in MLS in 2017. It will play in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Its training ground is being constructed in Cobb County.
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