Atlanta United Announces new Head Coach Ronny Deila | OneFootball

Atlanta United was thrilled to announce Ronny Deila as its new head coach on December 26, 2024! He brings a wealth of experience, having previously managed clubs like Celtic, Vålerenga, and, most recently, Club Brugge. His track record includes winning titles in Scotland and Norway and his time in MLS with NYCFC, where he led the team to its first-ever MLS Cup in 2021.

Ronny Deila becomes Atlanta United's seventh head coach (including interim stints).

Before Ronny Deila, Atlanta United had six head coaches (including interim coaches with significant tenures). Gerardo "Tata" Martino (2017–2018). He Led the team to their first MLS Cup title in 2018. Frank de Boer (2019–2020). He won the U.S. Open Cup and Campeones Cup in 2019 but struggled in the 2020 season, leading to his departure. Gabriel Heinze (2021) had a brief and tumultuous stint marked by tension with players and staff. He was dismissed midseason.

Gonzalo Pineda took over in (2021–2024) and brought stability to the team but couldn't meet the high expectations of consistent success. Two interim coaches tried their very best to steady the ship. Stephen Glass (2020) stepped in after Frank de Boer’s departure but struggled to secure results. Many fans described Rob Valentino as Mr. Reliable during (2021 and 2023 interim stints). He served twice as interim head coach following Gonzalo Pineda's departure in 2023. Well-respected within the club.

Ronny Deila is joining Atlanta United from Club Brugge, a top-tier club in Belgium. However, his time there was relatively short and mixed in terms of success. He took over Brugge in 2023, but the team struggled to consistently perform at the high level expected, particularly in domestic competitions. Brugge parted ways with him after they finished 6th in the Belgian Pro League during the 2023–24 season, which was below their usual standard.

Ronny Deila has had a managerial career marked by domestic success, a focus on player development, and adaptability across various leagues. Deila's coaching career kickstarted at  Strømsgodset in 2008 and lasted 6 years. During his tenure, Deila's best season was 2010, when he led Strømsgodset to their first major trophy in decades. Three years later, he etched his name in the folklore of Norwegian football when he guided the club to a league championship, breaking a 43-year drought. Diela built Strømsgodset into a competitive team, fostering talents like Martin Ødegaard, one of Arsenal’s world-class players in the English Premier League.

One of the hottest coaching prospects in Europe, Deila joined Celtics in 2014. Despite his short stint there, success followed him like a shadow following a player on a hot sunny day. Deila dominated Scottish football, winning 2 Scottish Premiership Titles (2014–15, 2015–16) and the Scottish League Cup (2014– 15). However, Celtics struggled in European competitions, ultimately downplaying Deila’s domestic success.

Seeking a new challenge, Deila went back to Norway to coach Valarenga. He spent three seasons but could not achieve cup glory. Getting his toes wet in MLS in 2020, he managed to deliver NYCFC’s first-ever league championship, defeating Portland Timbers in a dramatic penalty shootout. Deila’s career took him to Belgium at Standard Liège and Club Brugge. Unfortunately, he finished 6th at both clubs.

Deila has shown he can succeed in both domestic leagues and MLS, particularly with teams in transition. His ability to develop talent and implement his style will be key for Atlanta United as they aim to return to title contention. While Deila’s stint at Club Brugge was challenging, his success with Strømsgodset, Celtic, and NYCFC shows he knows how to win trophies.

Deila’s ability to develop young talent and manage prominent personalities has been a hallmark of his career. Atlanta United fans will be excited to see how he nurtures the next generation of stars, such as Alexey Miranchuk, while integrating new signings. Ronny Deila has managed several notable players across different clubs, many of whom have had highly successful careers.

Virgil van Dijk: Now a world-class defender for Liverpool and the Netherlands, van Dijk played under Deila before his move to the Premier League. Deila helped refine his skills, setting the stage for his rise.

Kieran Tierney: Deila debuted Tierney at Celtic and nurtured him into one of the brightest young full-backs, now playing for Real Sociedad (on loan from Arsenal).

Moussa Dembélé: Although Deila left before Dembélé fully shone, he played a role in shaping Celtic’s attacking system, that Dembélé later thrived in.

Scott Brown: The Celtic captain was a key figure under Deila, providing leadership and anchoring the midfield during the manager’s tenure.

Taty Castellanos: Deila helped Taty develop into one of the best strikers in MLS, ultimately winning the 2021 MLS Golden Boot and leading NYCFC to its first MLS Cup victory.

James Sands: A talented defensive midfielder/defender, Sands thrived under Deila, earning a move to Europe and becoming a U.S. international.

Maxi Moralez: A creative force for NYCFC, Moralez played a pivotal role in Deila's successful 2021 season.

Noa Lang: highly-rated Dutch winger Lang was part of Deila’s Brugge squad before joining the highly rated PSV Eindhoven.

Hans Vanaken: A veteran playmaker and multiple-time Belgian Player of the Year, Vanaken was a leader for Deila’s Brugge side.

Preferred Playing Style

Deila often employs a high press to disrupt opponents' buildup play, encouraging his teams to win the ball back quickly in advanced areas. Fitness and tactical discipline are critical components of this style. His teams focus on controlling possession with purposeful passing but are also adept at transitioning quickly when opportunities arise. This balance allows flexibility against different styles of opponents. Deila encourages his wide players to stretch the field while fullbacks provide attacking support, creating overloads in wide areas. He is known for trusting and developing young players, which can rejuvenate squads. Deila prefers formations that support his attacking philosophy, often switching between 4-2-3-1, providing defensive stability with double pivots while maintaining creative outlets., 4-3-3 utilizes wide attackers and emphasizes midfield control, 3-4-3 is occasionally used, significantly, when leveraging wingbacks to dominate wide areas.

Deila is charismatic and passionate, often building a strong rapport with supporters.  His bold personality (e.g., his infamous shirtless celebration with NYCFC fans after the MLS Cup win) resonates with fans who value managers who show genuine commitment.

Given Deila’s experience in MLS and his ability to adapt and implement attacking football, I believe he can meet Atlanta United’s high standards—as long as the team stays healthy and he can quickly build a cohesive squad. The immediate pressure will be on him to challenge for silverware and maintain Atlanta’s competitive edge in MLS and on the international stage.