Ex-Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze named manager of Atlanta United

Ex-Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze named manager of Atlanta United as bosses at MLS club celebrate ‘milestone’ appointment six months after Frank de Boer’s exit

  • Gabriel Heinze has been appointed the new manager of MLS club Atlanta United
  • The ex-Manchester United defender has replaced previous coach Frank de Boer 
  • Heinze has joined Atlanta six months after current Netherlands boss De Boer left
  • The former Argentina regular won the Premier League title with United in 2007

Atlanta United have appointed former Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze as head coach on a two-year deal, the Major League Soccer club announced on Friday.

Heinze, who played for Paris St Germain, Manchester United and Real Madrid, began his coaching career in 2015 in Argentina.

He last managed Velez Sarsfield, where he spent two seasons befre stepping down at the end of the 2019/20 campaign.

Former Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze is the new man in charge at Atlanta United

Heinze played for United between 2004 and 2007, winning the Premier League in his last term

Heinze played for United between 2004 and 2007, winning the Premier League in his last term

His appointment ends a six-month search by Atlanta for a successor to Frank de Boer, who parted ways with the club in July.

Interim head coach Stephen Glass will return to coaching Atlanta United 2, the club’s USL Championship affiliate.

‘This is a milestone moment in Atlanta United history and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome Gabriel as our next head coach,’ club president Darren Eales said in a statement.

‘We cast the net widely for this important hire and Gabriel quickly emerged as the number one candidate. Gabriel is one of the top coaches in South American soccer and we are delighted that he chose Atlanta United.

Atlanta see the appointment of 42-year-old Heinze as a coup and want to develop their youth

Atlanta see the appointment of 42-year-old Heinze as a coup and want to develop their youth

‘While his resume speaks for itself, Gabriel’s playing philosophy and commitment to youth development closely align with our ideas at Atlanta United.’

Heinze, now 42, played 73 times for Argentina, helping them finish as runners-up in the Copa America twice and win their first Olympic gold medal in 2004.

He lifted the Premier League trophy with Manchester United in 2007 before making the switch to Madrid, where he won the Liga title with Real the following season.

Atlanta, who won the MLS Cup in 2018 and the U.S. Open Cup last year, missed out on the playoffs this season.

Netherlands boss Frank de Boer left Atlanta by mutual consent in July after a season in charge

Netherlands boss Frank de Boer left Atlanta by mutual consent in July after a season in charge