Atlanta United president Darren Eales said in an exclusive interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the decision to part ways with manager Frank de Boer was reflective of a club that holds itself to exceptionally high standards.
“We want to be a top club and play in way that’s exciting, dynamic and winning trophies,” Eales told the AJC's Doug Roberson.
Eales also said that while club owner Arthur Blank was consulted prior to the decision, players were not.
Atlanta and De Boer officially parted ways last Friday after the club lost all three of its group matches at the MLS is Back Tournament and failed to score a single goal.
The Dutchman had some successes during his one-and-a-half year tenure, helping Atlanta win the U.S. Open Cup and Campeones Cup last season. But the club also lost at home to Toronto FC in last year's Eastern Conference final, and before COVID-19 halted the season back in March, appeared to be on their way out of the Concacaf Champions League after a 3-0 Leg 1 defeat to Club America in the quarterfinals.
Stephen Glass was named Atlanta's interim head coach on Monday, while the club begins a search for a permanent replacement.
In a separate piece, Eales gave the AJC some insight into what the club are looking for in its next permanent coach.
"We will take our time and find someone that can take this club forward," he said. "We want to be successful. We want to win matches but have an expectation of being on the front foot and being aggressive with playing.”
