Stephen Glass named Atlanta United interim manager

Atlanta United announced on Monday that ATL UTD 2 head coach Stephen Glass will take over the first team manager position on an interim basis. In addition, Academy Director Tony Annan will lead the USL side during this time.

“Stephen not only has professional experience as a player at the highest levels of the sport, he is a proven leader and is well respected as a coach by his players and staff,” said Atlanta United president Darren Eales. “We have great confidence that Stephen will reenergize the team and move the club in the right direction during this transition period.”

The Five Stripes made the bold move of parting ways with manager Frank de Boer last week and will be conducting a thorough search for a permanent replacement. Glass has been with the club since 2018 and should be a trustworthy guide for the first team while the brass find their third manager.

Glass, 44, joined Atlanta in August of 2018 as an Academy coach before taking over the ATL UTD 2 job in early 2019. In one full season with the 2’s, he amassed a 9-8-17 record.

“I am honored to take over as interim head coach for the Atlanta United first team,” Glass said. “I am committed to continuing the hard work the team has done to establish itself as a top club in MLS, and to meeting the high standard expected of us both on and off the field. I look forward to quickly establishing a structure and rapport with the players as we prepare to return to play in our home market.”

Atlanta United were eliminated from the MLS is Back tournament after three group stage matches, in which they failed to score a single goal. Their next match has yet to be announced, but rumors persist that in-market matches could begin in late August.