Chris Henderson and Garth Lagerwey have reunited.
Lagerwey, Atlanta United’s President, announced on Monday that the club has hired Henderson as its sporting director. Henderson is scheduled to meet with journalists on Tuesday.
“I’ve followed this club for a while now and the ambitions of the club, both on and off the pitch, are clear and that’s to compete for trophies every single season,” Henderson said in a statement to Atlanta United. “I’m excited to get to work with Garth and to play a role in helping Atlanta United build on its history of success.”
Lagerwey, who was hired as Seattle’s general manager in 2015, and Henderson, who was hired as technical director there in 2008, worked together for the Sounders until 2021.
“Chris has experience building consistent, winning teams in this league and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the club as our new Sporting Director,” Lagerwey said in a statement provided by the team. “His illustrious career and vast experience was something we valued in this hiring process and he was someone who immediately rose to the top of our search. He understands all the nuances that MLS roster building brings and I’m excited to see him play a pivotal role in helping us bring that consistent winner to Atlanta.”
The duo know how to field winning teams.
Before Lagerwey was hired in Seattle, Henderson helped it win four U.S. Open Cups (2009, ‘10, ‘11 and ‘14) and one Supporters Shield (’14).
When Lagerwey joined, Seattle won the MLS Cup in 2016 and ‘19 and finished as runner-up in ‘17 and ‘20.
Henderson joined Miami in Jan. 2021. The Herons, featuring Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, won the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters Shield in 2024. Miami was knocked out of this season’s playoffs by Atlanta United.
Lagerwey joined Atlanta United in Nov. 22. The team has yet to win a trophy since 2019, which is why Lagerwey fired manager Gonzalo Pineda in June and technical director Carlos Bocanegra in September.
Atlanta United has yet to hire its next manager. Lagerwey determined that Rob Valentino, who served as interim after Pineda, wasn’t going to be considered.
The transfer window will open in January. Training camp is likely to open in mid-January.
In addition to a manager, Atlanta United has two Designated Player slots it can fill, as well as two Under-22 slots, or one DP slot and three Under-22 slots.
The team seems set at goalkeeper and centerback, but needs a striker, a fullback who can play on either side and competition at left wing and central midfield.
Henderson follows the recent hiring of David Tenney as director of high performance. Tenney also worked at Seattle.
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