After a bit of a football trip from Strømsgodset, to Celtic, then Vålerenga, New York City FC, Standard Liege and a guest stay at Club Brugge, Ronny Deila got on a long-haul flight to the United Arab Emirates. Okay, we thought, a little side road before it carries back to bigger tasks. Less than six months later, the desert adventure was over. The past month has been about leading another MLS club to the big title.
Atlanta United secured Deila in December. The club management and “the whole” of New York remember the energetic Norwegian who did push-ups bare-chested after leading New York City FC to victory in the MLS Cup in 2021. Pep Guardiola saw what Manchester City’s sister club achieved with Deila at the helm, and said he was mightily impressed.
Atlanta United have not signed Deila to qualify for the MLS playoffs, 34 behind Inter Miami at the top of the Eastern Conference. Deila’s new club surprisingly beat Messi and Inter Miami in the first round of the playoffs, but had to concede to Orlando City in the semi-finals.
Now Atlanta is loading Deila’s squad with players who will give the club the title they last won back in 2018.
At the end of January, Atlanta signed Premier League star Miguel Almirón after six years at Newcastle at St James’ Park. The 30-year-old right winger from Paraguay signed a deal that runs until 2027, with an option for another year.
Then came Monday’s signing of Latte Lath.
Atlanta, gearing up for the new MLS season that starts in less than 20 days, took out the big checkbook after Ronny Deila made it clear that he needs fast players.
Middlesbrough bought the super-fast striker from Atalanta for €5.37 million in the summer of 2023, Atlanta United will pay €21.35 million.
Ronny Deila promised the New York City FC supporters and players he would do push-ups in just their panties if they won the title. As I said, so done. Now the whole of Atlanta wants the same from the Norwegian. Just start pumping iron, Deila.
