Jack Collison has been promoted to the role of Atlanta United 2′s manager, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
Collison, 32, coached Atlanta United’s Under-17 Academy team. He replaces Tony Annan, who resigned in April to become South Carolina’s men’s soccer coach. He remained with Atlanta United 2 until managing his final game last week.
“I’m really excited and honored to be given this opportunity and would like to thank the club for putting their faith in me,” Collison said. “Having spent the last two seasons in the academy, it has given me a real understanding of what it is to be a part of this incredible club. I am looking forward to the challenge and cannot wait to get started.”
Atlanta United 2 (2-2-2) will host Louisville City on Sunday in Kennesaw.
“Jack has done a tremendous job with our academy teams since joining the organization and he will make a seamless transition to Atlanta United 2,” club Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said in a statement provided by the team. “He’s quickly proven to have a bright future in the managerial world.”
Collison joined Atlanta United in August 2019 after a professional playing career that included appearances for West Ham, Bournemouth, Wigan and Peterborough United. Collison was best known for his play at West Ham, where he made 121 appearances and scored 14 goals from 2007-14. He made 17 appearances for the Wales national team.
Collison is the fourth manager in Atlanta United 2′s history. His coaching resume includes working in the academies at Peterborough from 2015-17, and West Ham.
Managing Atlanta United 2 requires a personality that understands that player development, and not the win-loss record, is the most important aspect of the job, president Darren Eales said last week.
Collison will be assisted by Omar Jarun on an interim basis. Jarun managed the academy’s U13 team. Henry Apaloo, who assisted Annan, resigned to pursue another opportunity.
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