Atlanta hire Seattle's Lagerwey as new President and CEO

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by Jonathan Rest

Garth Lagerwey has been named as the new President and CEO of Atlanta United.

Our foundational goal from day one in MLS has been for Atlanta United to be a contender for MLS Cup each year, so we set out to find a leader with deep knowledge and experience in the league and a proven track record of success. We have certainly found that leader in Garth Lagerwey... His body of work in Seattle and Salt Lake City speaks for itself.

Steve Cannon

CEO, AMB Sports and Entertainment

Lagerwey joins Atlanta following eight years in the same role at Seattle Sounders, during which time the club won two MLS Cups, reached the final on two other occasions and won the 2022 Concacaf Champions League, becoming the first MLS team to do so.

Lagerwey succeeds Darren Eales, who returned to his native England as CEO of Newcastle United.

Before Seattle, Lagerwey served as General Manager and Senior Vice President of Soccer Operations for Real Salt Lake, guiding the team to its lone MLS title in 2009.

Steve Cannon, CEO of AMB Sports and Entertainment, the ownership group, said: “Our foundational goal from day one in MLS has been for Atlanta United to be a contender for MLS Cup each year, so we set out to find a leader with deep knowledge and experience in the league and a proven track record of success. We have certainly found that leader in Garth Lagerwey and could not be more thrilled to have him take the reins of our team. His body of work in Seattle and Salt Lake City speaks for itself.”

Lagerwey added: “The opportunity to take on the chief executive role at a club with incredible ownership, unmatched resources and infrastructure, and the amazing fan support this club has enjoyed from the start, all made this move the perfect next step in my career.”

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