Expansion

Report: Sigi Schmid among Atlanta United head-coaching candidates in 2017

Sigi Schmid (Seattle Sounders) watches on during a game

Former Seattle Sounders manager Sigi Schmid is among the candidates to manage Atlanta United in the expansion club's inaugural season, according to an ESPN FC report.


ESPN FC's Jeff Carlisle reported Monday that United, who begin play in 2017, are in talks with former Argentina manager Gerardo "Tata" Martino, but that no agreement had been reached. Schmid interviewed last week, Carlisle reported, citing multiple anonymous sources.


Schmid, who parted ways with Seattle on July 26 with the Sounders in the midst of a frustrating season, coached the LA Galaxy and Columbus Crew SC to MLS Cup/Supporters' Shield doubles (plus a Lamar Hunt US Open Cup title in 2001 with the Galaxy) and won four US Open Cup championships and a Supporters' Shield with Seattle.


Before that, Schmid coached UCLA to three College Cup titles. Atlanta United technical director and former US international Carlos Bocanegra was one of Schmid's collegiate players.


Atlanta's link to Martino, who resigned as Argentina's manager following the team's loss to Chile in the Copa America Centenario final this past summer, was first reported by Telemundo.