Atlanta United president Darren Eales has explained why manager Gabriel Heinze was sacked earlier this month. Eales explained the rationale behind the dismissal of Argentine international Gabriel Heinze at a virtual press conference as he debunked rumours that the issue with star player Josef Martinez played a big part in the decision to sack the former Paris Saint Germain (PSG) and Manchester United left-back. Venezuelan international Martinez trained away from the Atlanta United first team after a clash with Gabriel Heinze.

Eales told reporters that it’s difficult to know if managers would be good fit for a job as he implied that the club got it wrong with the appointment of Heinze. The Argentine was a surprise appointment in December 2020 and he didn’t last three months of the new MLS season before being sacked.

Heinze was sacked as the Atlanta United manager shortly after the disappointing 1-0 loss to New England Revolution in the MLS in what was the second managerial change at the club in the space of almost 12 months. Atlanta United have been on the downward spiral since winning the MLS Cup three years ago. Gabriel Heinze left Atlanta United in a disappointing 10^th position with a record of just two wins, seven draws and three defeats from 12 games. They had 13 points from the maximum 36 points under Heinze.

Atlanta United have now sacked their two managers since Tata Martino left the club on the back of winning the MLS Cup in 2018. Dutchman Frank De Boer replaced Martino and he lasted for one season and an extra half-a-season. De Boer was sacked midway into last season.

Heinze was a successful manager in his native Argentina before he took the Atlanta United job but he was unable to deliver instant success with his new team. Assistant manager Rob Valentino has been tasked with leading the first team squad as the search for a new manager begins.