Jeff Carlyle
Garth Lagerwey will not be returning as CEO of Atlanta United FC next season, according to a statement from the club.
Lagerwey, 52, was diagnosed with cancer in July, prompting the club to announce his leave of absence. Although he made a limited return towards the end of the season, he took another leave in October to concentrate on his recovery.
The spokesperson indicated that the search for his successor is currently underway, and Lagerwey is expected to assume a broader role in managing Atlanta United and the newly announced NWSL expansion team. This new team is set to begin play in 2028, with staffing expected to start in 2026.
Lagerwey joined Atlanta United in 2022 after achieving notable success with Real Salt Lake and Seattle Sounders FC. He led RSL to an MLS Cup victory in 2010 on a limited budget, and they also made it to the finals of the 2012 Concacaf Champions League. Later, with the Sounders, he secured two MLS Cup titles in 2016 and 2019, plus a Concacaf Champions League title in 2022.
Fans had high hopes that his leadership would signify a new chapter for Atlanta, but it coincided with a decline from the team’s earlier successes, which included winning the 2018 MLS Cup and the subsequent U.S. Open Cup.
Despite Lagerwey’s leadership, Atlanta’s decline continued. They had a brief resurgence in 2023 with a playoff upset over Supporters’ Shield winners Inter Miami in the 2024 playoffs, yet they ultimately finished the season in 14th place in the Eastern Conference, trailing Orlando City by 25 points for the final playoff spot.
This downturn has occurred even while Atlanta remains one of the highest-spending teams in the league, ranking third according to the latest payroll report from the MLS Players Association, with expenditures totaling $28.48 million.
The club possesses significant front office expertise with Chief Soccer Officer Chris Henderson, who was brought on board last December and is set to assist new coach Gerardo Martino in roster development. Meanwhile, Sarah Kate Noftsinger and Dimitrios Efstatiou oversee the business operations.
Fan Take: This development is significant for soccer enthusiasts as it reflects the unstable dynamics at a once-prominent franchise. Lagerwey’s departure could signal a critical turning point, offering a chance for fresh leadership to reshape Atlanta United’s strategy and potentially revive its championship aspirations.
