MARIETTA, Ga. — Few incoming managers in MLS history have had bigger shoes to fill than Frank de Boer does at Atlanta United.
Succeeding Tata Martino, a coaching legend in his own right, but also a manager that lead a burgeoning franchise to great success and an MLS Cup title, will be no easy task.
The tangible obstacles facing De Boer are obvious, starting with the task of leading an already tightly-knit group to success in multiple competitions in the busy season ahead. But it’s the more nuanced dilemmas that could prove trickier for the Dutch icon.
Because while Martino’s results and accomplishments have been left in the trophy cabinet, the style of his team and the characteristics of the team he assembled remain. De Boer knows he will need a delicate touch to strike the right balance.
“Tata did a fantastic job. After two years, he won MLS Cup. You have to be very humble toward him because that’s not an easy [accomplishment],” De Boer told media during his introductory press conference on Monday morning. “I will not try to change everything because what’s good is good. Of course, what I think we can change, we will. But the hardware is there. We’re going to update it a little bit, but not change it a lot.”
As far as playing style goes, Atlanta fans have been debating what formation De Boer might deploy in Atlanta ever since his announcement as head coach on Dec. 23. But the Dutchman said it’s far too early to know what specific shape will best suit ATLUTD’s players. He’ll evaluate the players himself over the first couple weeks of training camp, which begins Tuesday.
“The style of play depends on what type of players you have in the squad,” said De Boer. “You can play 1-4-3-3, but if you don't have the players to do it, it'd be foolish to play that style. Tata Martino saw that, but I have to experience the players myself.”
When fans think of Dutch football, and De Boer in particular, they often envision a dogmatic playing philosophy that requires strict adherence to keeping possession, playing out of the back and dominating the game with the ball, no matter the risk.
On Monday De Boer presented a philosophy to the contrary — one that’s pragmatic and results-focused.
“Everyone wants to play dominant football,” he said. “I like that kind of style, so if we can do that, we surely will. But still, I have to see what gives us the [best] possibility to win games, because at the end it's all about those three points. Of course we want to be as attractive as we can for the fans, but the fans also want us to win, so it's a combination of those two.
“If I have to choose, I'm always choosing winning.
