Ronny Deila emerges as candidate for Atlanta United’s manager

New York coach Ronny Deila (middle) coaches players during the New York City FC versus Philadelphia Union MLS game at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando on Thursday, July 9, 2020. The match is part of the MLS is Back tournament. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS)

By Doug Roberson

Dec 18, 2024

Ronny Deila is among the candidates to become Atlanta United’s next manager, according to a report.

Deila, who was manager of NYCFC from 2020-22 and won MLS Cup in 2021, was fired by UAE club Al Wahda on Wednesday morning. The report is from Glenn Crooks, an analyst on the @NYCFC Network.

An Atlanta United spokesperson said the club hasn’t yet hired a manager.

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Deila, 49, led NYCFC to the title before leaving to join Standard Liege in Belgium. He went from Liege to Club Brugge, leading it to the Belgian title in 2023-24, before going to Saudi Arabia.

Before NYCFC, Deila led Strømsgodset to the Cup in 2010 and league title in 2013, and Celtic in Scotland to the league title in 2014-15, and 2015-16, and league cup in 2014-15.

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Atlanta United President Garth Lagerwey said Tuesday that the manager hire could be made within three weeks. Chris Henderson, introduced Tuesday as the sporting director, said he had spoken with the finalists.

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