Gabriel Heinze to become next Atlanta United coach - Influenced by Bielsa

It has been rumored for some time, and it is now almost a certainty. Transfermarkt can confirm reports by TyC Sports journalist César Luis Merlo that Atlanta United have found a replacement for Frank de Boer—the Dutchman was fired following disappointing performances at the MLS is Back Tournament—and are set to hire Argentine Gabriel Heinze. 

Heinze was last in charge of Vélez Sarsfield, where he averaged 1.63 points per game. Sources have told Transfermarkt that the 42-year-old former Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Roma defender left Vélez in March after rescuing the club from relegation as he could not agree with the board on future player acquisitions. Despite being let go by Vélez, Heinze remained under contract at the club until the end of 2020. As a result, Atlanta opted to wait until the end of the season to conclude the deal that would see Heinze become the third full-time coach in the club's history. 

The 42-year-old is seen as the perfect candidate to resurrect the legacy left by Tata Martino. Like Martino, Heinze is heavily influenced by current Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa. Unlike de Boer, the 42-year-old prefers a progressive 4-3-3 attacking formation. Club President Darren Eales has told AJC that the club has not been headed in the right direction for some time. In Heinze, the club now believes that they have found the man that can steer the Five Stripes back to the course originally set out by Martino throughout the club's most successful period.