Atlanta United announced Friday that the club and head coach Frank de Boer mutually agreed to separate, with immediate effect. The club will announce an interim coach shortly as it begins looking for De Boer’s permanent replacement.
Assistant coaches Orlando Trustfull and Bob de Klerk and video analyst Erwin Koenis are also leaving the club.
“On behalf of Atlanta United, I would like to thank Frank for his leadership and commitment to the club,” Atlanta United President Darren Eales said in a statement. “Under Frank’s guidance, the club had a strong 2019 season in both MLS and international competition. After discussing it with Frank, the decision was made mutually. By winning two trophies in his first season in charge, he will always be part of the club’s history, and with great appreciation and respect we wish him all the best in the future. “
De Boer was announced as the club’s head coach on December 23, 2018, replacing Tata Martino. Under De Boer, Atlanta United finished the 2019 MLS regular season in second place in the Eastern Conference with a record 18W-12L-4D. The team also won two trophies, the 2019 Lamar Hunt United States Open Cup and the second annual Champions Cup, and finished one game before advancing to the 2019 MLS Cup after losing at home in the Eastern Conference Final to Toronto FC.
De Boer guided the club to a record 2W-0L-0D in 2020 before the MLS season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Atlanta United was eliminated from the MLS is Back tournament in Orlando, losing all three games in group play and failing to score a goal.
“I am grateful for the opportunity I have had with Atlanta United,” said Frank de Boer. “Training in Major League Soccer and living in Atlanta has been a wonderful experience and a new challenge. I will never forget the amazing fans here in Atlanta, they are truly special. I want to thank the players, coaches and staff for all their support, it has been a pleasure working with all of you. ”
He arrived in Atlanta in December 2018 after two short stints in command of Crystal Palace in England (2017) and Inter Milan in Italy (2016). Crystal Palace let him go after 77 days and 5 games and his time at Inter Milan ended after 85 days and 14 games at the helm.
After retiring from an illustrious playing career in 2006, De Boer started training, starting at the youth level in Ajax, where he had starred as a professional for 11 seasons. He assumed the role of interim manager of Ajax’s first team in the middle of the 2010-11 season. Led by numerous former academy players, his team found immediate success and finally won the Eredivisie on the last day of the season. De Boer’s team followed that up by winning each of the next three national titles, marking the first time that Ajax claimed four consecutive Eredivisie titles in its decorated history. He resigned as manager after the 2015-16 season with a career winning percentage of 60.3 percent.
Atlanta United is expected to return to the MLS competition when the regular season resumes after the conclusion of the MLS Tournament Back in Orlando.
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