Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino received a special gift Tuesday for his 56th birthday: A framed photo of the tifo made by the team’s supporters for the playoff game against NYCFC.
“Very nice,” he said.
The tifo was a three-story likeness of Martino, complete with his arms crossed and a sweater hanging over his shoulders, displayed before the 3-1 win Nov. 11.
Martino’s last game as Atlanta United’s manager at Mercedes-Benz Stadium could be near because he is leaving the club at the end of the season.
Next for Martino and the team is the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Red Bulls. The first leg will be at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday. The second leg will be in Harrison, N.J., on Nov. 29. The winner will advance to the MLS Cup.
“It’s been a great relationship with the fans ever since I got here,” he said. “These last few weeks they are treating me just as well and wish as much care as when I first got there.
“I don’t have the possibility to make a tribute to each one of the fans, but if I did I would. That relationship has been great since the beginning, and and all the affection they have shown to the team.”
Martino said the possibility of it being the last game won’t be used as motivation for Sunday’s game.
“I think telling them it could be the second-to-last time will be more motivation than saying it’s the last time.”
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