New on Sports Illustrated: Atlanta United Fires Manager Gabriel Heinze Amid Struggles, Club Turmoil
Avi Creditor Atlanta struggled under Gabriel Heinze, who had recently frozen out star striker Josef Martinez without public explanation. View the original article to see embedded media. Atlanta United is searching for a new coach yet again after firing Gabriel Heinze 17 matches into his tenure at the helm. The decision comes after a 1–0 defeat to the New England Revolution, but it also comes on the heels of Heinze freezing star striker Josef Martinez out, revealing that the 2018 MLS MVP had been training on his own for unspecified reasons. When asked if he had the support of club president Darren Eales and technical director Carlos Bocanegra, Heinze said he didn't require it. A club statement on Sunday indicated that Heinze was let go for “a variety of issues relating to the day-to-day leadership of the team." The club is 2-4-7 in MLS play and sits in 10th place in the Eastern Conference. It was also bounced by the Philadelphia Union in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf ...