One of the most storied coaches in world football is an ATLien again.
It’s been more than seven years since Tata Martino left Atlanta United, with stops in Mexico and Miami in between his return. Martino led the 5-Stripes to MLS Cup glory in 2018, but today he finds a new challenge.
He hasn’t changed much, so he says, but the same cannot be said about his club. With a squad full of players from different eras of the club, the Argentinian coach has plenty to do to once again build a formidable team.
On the cusp of his first home match back in charge of the 5-Stripes, El Profe answered 17 questions so 17s can get to know their head coach — whether it feels like catching up with an old friend or meeting a new one.
This interview was conducted in Spanish and translated.
Tata, how have you changed over the course of the seven years that you were away from the club?
He smiles I’m older.
What’s your favorite place in your home country of Argentina?
Rosario, and the Newell’s Old Boys pitch.
What’s your favorite dish from both Argentina and Atlanta?
From Argentina, asado. And from Atlanta, I like everything that has to do with fish.
How do you spend your free time away from soccer?
When I was in Rosario [Argentina], a lot of time with my family and friends, watching soccer because it’s my job. When I come here [to Atlanta], I do the exact same, and we also watch NBA, that’s very important.
When you got back to Atlanta for the first time, what was the first thing you did?
We went to Chastain Park. We used to walk every day there.
What’s one memory from your first time with the club that you’re always going to remember?
The first job interview with Arthur [Blank].
If you had to choose one word to describe Atlanta, what would it be?
Community.
What’s one thing you can’t live without?
Family, because it’s the most important thing we have.
Your son, Gerardo Martino Jr., is alongside you in the coaching staff. How does it feel to share football with him?
Incredible, incredible. I was never sold on the situation where father and son work together. But the truth is that, when I made the decision, it’s been incredible. To discuss football with him is marvelous.
In your life, how you do balance the roles of being a husband, a father and a coach?
Well, I try to be what corresponds to each moment. When it’s my turn to be a dad, I’m a dad, when it’s my turn to be a husband, I’m a husband, and when it’s my turn to be a coach, I’m a coach.
When you are motivating a player or giving instructions, are you calmer or more assertive?
There can be both versions.
Are there other coaches that inspire you?
At this level, with an already built career, obviously there are coaches that I like and that are very important, but I’m already formed as a coach. I’m not looking for those who inspire me anymore. In any case, I look down more to see who the new, young [coaches] are who have [tactics] I like.
You’ve spoken plenty about your star, Miguel Almirón. How happy does it make you to see a leader and a more mature man than the first time you managed him?
What he has to do is help the growth of the group. That’s what I believe Miguel is going to contribute. Naturally, he’s a leader in football. I believe now that he also has other responsibilities with respect to the group as a byproduct of the great journey that he’s made.
What’s a good piece of advice that you received when you were younger?
There is no good that doesn’t come from [some] bad. My mom told me that one day when they didn’t let me go on a field trip in high school. I cried like crazy, and when my mom told me that, that week I made my debut in the [Argentinian] first division.
You’ve already been working with Sporting Director Chris Henderson on the acquisitions of some Latin American players. Why is the Latin American player so important in your squads?
I sincerely believe that the teams that have had success [in MLS] have always had an amount of Latin American players that have been the spine. But this, for me, always has been coordinated with an American group. The American group was also important for us in that first era, the group made up of Jeff [Larentowicz], [Michael Parkhurst], Brad [Guzan], Greg [Garza] and other guys was strong. The arrival of Miguel, of Leandro [Gonzáles Pirez], of Tito Villalba, of Josef Martínez, was equal, the Latin American and American parts of the squad.
What makes you convinced that Atlanta United can be successful again during your leadership?
We understand that the players that make up this team distance themselves from the team’s place last season, and they have good characteristics.
And finally, what do you want 17s, new and old, to know about you?
We are going to work with a lot of conviction to help Atlanta be what it once was in football.
