Atlanta United FC vice chairman and technical director Carlos Bocanegra has been faraway from his publish, efficient instantly, the group mentioned on Wednesday.
Staff president and CEO Garth Lagerwey, who has team-building expertise having served as GM at Actual Salt Lake and the Seattle Sounders, will take over Bocanegra’s duties.
Beginning in 2015, Bocanegra was a part of the manager group — a bunch that finally included president Darren Eales, VP of soccer operations Paul McDonough and former supervisor Gerardo Martino — that helped get Atlanta off to a blazing begin in MLS, with the 5 Stripes claiming the 2018 MLS Cup title.
That was one among three trophies the group received in its first three years of existence.
However the ensuing years proved tougher, with Bocanegra spearheading a player-recruitment technique that included some high-priced gamers who fell effectively wanting expectations, together with Ezequiel Barco and Santiago Sosa. This coincided with a interval during which Atlanta failed to succeed in the postseason in two of the final 4 seasons.
There was additionally an expectation that Lagerwey, who joined the membership in 2022, would finally make his personal decide to fill that position.
“We’re deeply appreciative of Carlos’ dedication and success over the past 9 years with Atlanta United,” Lagerwey mentioned in an announcement from the membership.
“Nevertheless, I consider it is time for our membership to maneuver in a brand new course. Whereas we are going to proceed to combat for a playoff spot down the ultimate stretch of the season, this provides us a clear slate and a runway to correctly assess all vacancies in our sporting operation forward of what’s going to be an especially vital offseason for our membership.”