Could a Josef Martinez and Tata Martino reunion revive Atlanta United?

Tom Weber

• 7 Nov 2025 14:01 CST
• 4 min read

News

Tata Martino has returned to Atlanta United just as former star stiker Josef Martinez is about to become a free agent, potentially creating a perfect storm for the ailing franchise.

Atlanta United has been in turmoil for the past five years, struggling to reach the same heights as in the late 2010s. When the Five Stripes appeared in MLS in 2017, it looked to be the dawn of a new era.

Following a promising expansion season, Atlanta United won MLS Cup in 2018 under Tata Martino, who departed at the end of that year. The success initially continued under the much-maligned Frank de Boer, who won Campeones Cup and the US Open Cup in 2019.

However, since 2020, Atlanta has been unrecognizable. Despite spending more than any other MLS team in 2025 and having one of the largest payrolls in the league, the club finished second bottom in the Eastern Conference, costing Ronny Deila his job.

In hopes of bringing the good times back to Georgia, Atlanta has now turned to the beloved figure of Tata Martino again. The 62-year-old has signed a two-year contract.

Martino returns, will Martinez join him?

It is fitting that this is Martino's first job since he walked away from Inter Miami last year. Despite leading Lionel Messi and company to the Supporters' Shield, the Argentine quit following a shock first-round playoff loss to Atlanta.

However, Martino is not the only fan favourite who could return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium this offseason. According to The Athletic, former star striker Josef Martinez has agreed to mutually part ways with the San Jose Earthquakes and dreams of rejoining Atlanta.

The Quakes were Martinez's third club in three years after stints at Miami and Montreal. He hasn't been the same since scoring 88 goals across his first three seasons with the Five Stripes due to a serious knee injury in 2020.

However, he is coming off his best season since his injury, having netted 14 goals in 30 MLS appearances for the Quakes as they narrowly missed the playoffs.

Martino and Martinez returning to Atlanta could be a perfect storm, but the report acknowledges that it is unclear if the Five Stripes have any interest in bringing the striker back.

With Atlanta CEO and president Garth Lagerway taking an indefinite leave of absence to focus on cancer treatment, Chris Henderson has taken full charge of sporting operations. Intriguingly, it was Henderson who signed Martinez for Inter Miami in 2023.

Henderson is expected to ring in the changes this offseason to avoid another disaster like 2025, which he described as the worst experience of his 30 years in MLS last week.

Unlike during his first stint at the club, Martinez would not occupy a Designated Player slot, which could make his signing attractive to Henderson. All three of Atlanta's DP spots are already filled, although it would not be shocking if Aleksey Miranchuk were to be sold.

“I like to have a team that has something to prove,” Henderson said at a press conference last week. “I think everyone who comes back next year to this team has something to prove, based on what we lived through in 2025.”

Martinez's winning mentality could help avoid another 2025, but only time will tell if he will indeed return.

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