Major League Soccer expansion team Atlanta United unveiled its first coach on Thursday as former Argentina and Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino said he was excited to try something new.
Martino, who has been out of work since resigning as Argentina's manager following the 2016 Copa America Centenario earlier this summer, was named to coach the expansion side earlier this week.
"I was interested in the ideas of the team and the proposal was so unique and different from anything else I could have received and at that moment I knew I couldn't pass up the chance to coach in MLS," Martino said.
Martino admitted it would be a challenge to build a team from scratch.
"In reality, that is what attracted me in the first place," he said. "I knew I would never get a chance like this again. I realize it is a challenge. I also liked the idea to know that I could work with the academy as well as the first team."
Tata finds Atlanta "very captivating" #ATLUTD pic.twitter.com/2nKmsQzUNM
- Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) September 29, 2016
Martino has won league titles in Argentina and Paraguay, and reached the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores with his beloved Newell's Old Boys. He also managed Paraguay for five years, leading them to the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup and the final of the 2011 Copa America.
The 53-year-old's spell at Barcelona lasted just a single season from 2013-14.
He said he was attracted to the idea of someday managing in the Mexican league but added that for now, he is looking forward to the challenge of MLS.
Current Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza said he thinks Atlanta is a perfect fit for Martino: "I think it is a fabulous idea that he coach in a place where he feels comfortable.
"He deserves this after all he has accomplished and all he has given. We spoke on the phone and plan to meet when time allows. In my estimation, his time with the national team was successful. Argentines feel like second place is a complete failure, but I don't see it that way. His time as coach had very positive results and we took advantage of them."