Deila has MLS experience. He managed NYCFC from 2020 to 2022 and won the MLS Cup in 2021. Deila was released by UAE club Al Wahda on Wednesday.

Deila, 49, led NYCFC to the title and a record of 46-29-15 before moving to Standard Liege in Belgium. He moved from Liège to Club Brugge and led them to the Belgian title in 2023/24 before moving to Saudi Arabia.

Prior to NYCFC, Deila led Odd to the 2020 Norwegian Football Cup in his native Norway, Strømsgodset to the 2010 Cup and 2013 League title, and Celtic in Scotland to the 2014-15 and 2015-16 League titles and the 2014-15 League Cup.

“We are pleased to welcome Ronny as Atlanta United’s new head coach,” Lagerwey said in a club statement. “He has a proven track record of winning in multiple leagues around the world, including the 2021 MLS Cup with NYCFC, and his MLS knowledge was a key factor in our search.” We believe his playing style aligns with the club’s philosophy , as we want to build a team that consistently fights for trophies.”

Deila will lead a club that, while solid, has room for improvement and has a multi-million dollar budget to which he is not limited.

Atlanta United has two designated player spots open, but plenty of solid players. Returning from a team that beat Inter Miami in the playoffs last year are goalkeeper and captain Brad Guzan, starting center backs Stian Gregersen, Derrick Williams and Luis Abram, fullbacks Brooks Lennon, who will miss the start of the season after shoulder surgery, and Pedro Amador, midfielders Bartosz Slisz, Tristan Muyumba, Jay Fortune and Alexey Miranchuk, wingers Saba Lobjanidze and Xande Silva and striker Jamal Thiare. The team acquired midfielder Mateusz Klich in a trade on Friday morning.

Atlanta United is also expanding its training facility by $23 million.

There’s more to come