Here are four quick thoughts on Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino, who was introduced on Wednesday:
1. He knows MLS. When Atlanta United President Darren Eales and technical director Carlos Bocanegra flew to Rosario, Argentina to meet with Martino, he brought a notebook filled with analysis of the other teams in MLS.
“He had done his homework,” Bocanegra said. “He had asked for the (league) rules ahead of time. We knew he was interested and serious about it.”
2. He knows the challenge. Martino said he will spent the first 100 days on the job scouting players. Atlanta United has signed seven players — Martino is familiar with them, especially Hector Villalba — and Martino and Bocanegra will work together to fill the 28-man roster. Martino said he is familiar with the league's rules and the terms for acquiring players, which are different than most other leagues around the world.
3. He is learning English. He spoke a few words of English on Wednesday before switching back to Spanish. His wife is an English teacher. He said he is committed to learning the language. Eales and Bocanegra said that there are many examples of players and coaches who don't speak the language of the country they are in still being able to commnicate through translators or teammates who do know the language.
4. Lionel Messi isn't coming … yet. That's a joke. When asked if he was going to bring the Barcelona and Argentina star to Atlanta, Martino laughed and pointed out tht if Messi he had to play for every team he gets linked to he'd spend all of his time travelling and never get to play at all. Martino has coached Messi for the club and country.
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