Then Ronny Deila is back on track. On Friday, the confirmation came that Deila is going from a 2-0 loss, the experience of European Championship gold in handball for his daughters, fired as coach, then signing for a club in the league he is remembered as the big winner. All this in a week’s time.
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 is over. Now it’s all about Atlanta United.
“All” New York remembers 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.
At Atlanta United, Deila’s immediate availability after being sacked on Wednesday was received with great enthusiasm. Deila left MLS as the big winner, on Friday Atlanta United confirmed they have signed a deal with Ronny Deila through the 2027 season.
“I couldn’t be more excited. This is a club with good ownership, has excellent facilities and has ambitions to succeed. I’m happy to be back in MLS. It’s a competitive league that I enjoy and I’m looking forward to working with the players,” Deila told Atalanta United.
