It’s pretty clear what Garth Lagerwey thinks of the signing of Alexey Miranchuk.
“We are back, baby,” Atlanta United’s president and CEO told 92-9 The Game’s Andy Bunker and Randy McMichael on Tuesday, not long after the club announced that it had signed the attacking midfielder on a two-and-a-half year deal with an option for a third year.
A reported $13 million transfer fee — along with the fact that Miranchuk will have a tough act to follow after the sale of Thiago Almada — means the Russian international will have plenty of expectations placed on him from Day 1. From the sounds of it, it appears he won’t have much trouble meeting them.
“(He) is an elite chance creator. Literally one of the top guys in all the top five leagues in Europe combined,” Lagerwey said.
Miranchuk, who “could be available” for Atlanta if it advances to the Leagues Cup knockout round but “worst-case scenario” will dress on August 24’s return to MLS play against the LA Galaxy, is the perfect example of the style of player Atlanta desire to bring in under Lagerwey: a “prime-age” player and not young, emerging prospects that the front office preferred under Darren Eales that would be later sold off for high returns.
“This is what we said. We’re changing our model. No more young kids, no more buy, develop, sell. That was financially successful,” Lagerwey said. “What we’re going all in on now is we’re going all in on winning. We’re going to try to deliver for the fan base. We understand they’ve suffered a little bit with us, but that’s why I say we’re back.”
Now, after adding “long-haul” players like Bartosz Slisz, Saba Lobjanidze, Stian Gregersen, and Tristan Muyumba, the club can now focus on the “difference makers”, Lagerwey said.
“We’ve added one. We’re trying to get a second one this summer. If it’s not this summer, it’ll be in the winter,” he stated. “And then you have a third one that can come in 2025 as well. So stick with us, but we’re now on the come up.”
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I keep stewing on this. Another thing that is pissing me off is the admission that the previously player acquisition strategy was financially successful.
If it was so successful, then why did the FO feel compelled to keep raising ticket prices?
Forgive me if I don’t just take the FO’s word for it. I am honestly tired of the proclamations and superlatives. All we have heard for 4 seasons now is talk. Time to walk the walk…
I know this sounds very pessimistic, but I will believe “We’re back” when I see it. This FO has been unserious for 4 seasons while simultaneously raising ticket prices each season. I have run out of patience. This recent season ticket price hike blew past the “worth it” mark for me personally.
Win more, talk less. That is all.
Whatever….just win, baby. Prove it to us in the win loss column. There is much more work to do, but I like the transformation since GL has arrived.
Underwhelmed so far. All the hype about $50 million to spend…..and we need to replace at least 2 critical spots, a 3rd if you just consider Amador as depth at FB.
And so far we have just one big signing (plus Amador) and “we’re back!” C’mon man!
Garth’s plan doesn’t really match up with what I was expecting….unless there’s much more to come and come soon.
Plus we had to trade for an international spot to make this move? C’mon man……
Seems early for a victory lap and maybe also a bit tone deaf. Hopefully he is actually that good – after watching his reel, he seems to have similar technique and style to Saba, so maybe they will have some clever interplay around the top corner of the 18, if they can create some chemistry.
Couldnt agree more. Glad GL is happy and optimistic about a turnaround, but we are so far from back.
I think it’s worth noting that Almiron was 23 and Josef 24, and Villalba 23 when they came to us in 2017. They were on the young side of prime-age, but I wouldn’t consider them young emerging prospects.
For that matter, neither were Pity (26), Moreno (25), or Araujo (25).
A focus on young emerging prospects has not been the central problem this team has faced. It hasn’t helped attempting to put so much weight on Almada, Barco, Sosa, etc., but it isn’t the root cause of the problems.
If I had place the blame, it would be
Barco. Sosa. Ibarra. Mosquera.
3 of those 4 are u-22. Not great that they haven’t performed well, but I’d argue the worse problem of this team is that our DPs – Barco, Pity, Moreno, Franco, Araujo, to a degree Almada – have not performed to expectations. Not always by their fault (having 3 CAMs for example)
I think it was both. Clearly, you need major impact players at DP slots. We saw what happened when Josef went down and returned as lesser while still occupying a DP slot. We’ve seen what happens when they get mis-allocated and over bought at the same position. Barco and Pity were functionally the same player (and neither was quite good enough in a vacuum, but they made it harder than it had to be). Then Pity for Moreno was just a little bit different but lesser ability. Araujo just couldn’t be THE guy. He’s fine (it appears) if he’s one of 4-5 really good attackers, as he’s had some good numbers with Flamengo as a part-time starter.
Then with the U22 slots, they got jammed up. They swung really big on those and even doubled down by adding a 4th (for 3 slots) when I think it was Lopez out on loan. That really made making other roster moves a challenge, and I think forced some other moves they maybe didn’t want or have to make.
I don’t think Lagerwey prioritizes those U22 slots all that much (which is fine). It does seem like the DP target and acquisition process is a lot more sensical now. Not just the age and other analytics, but we aren’t just getting guys without consideration for positions. I guess we will see after Miranchuk gets here and hopefully the new DP 9.
Lagerwey said. “What we’re going all in on now is we’re going all in on winning. We’re going to try to deliver for the fan base. We understand they’ve suffered a little bit with us, but that’s why I say we’re back.”
Little is doing a lot of heavy lifting there.
Also implied in there that we weren’t going all in on winning previously
He sounds… what’s the word? Ugh. Can’t remember. Oh yeah, *optimistic*. Haven’t felt that in a while. Still don’t yet. But hey, there’s a chance things go well.
It sounds like something out of fifa career mode that is highly unrealistic. Like, did Garth actually say these words?!!!
Get a DP 9 and a new manager, at least, before saying we are back. But I’m excited that he thinks so highly of Miranchuk.
It is quite funny to declare us “back” when we have no manager and no striker… what good is a chance creator without a chance finisher
Give me results, not words. You are not “back” until you win something (anything).
Agreed. Being back means you turned a page, flipped the car around, etc., not put new wheels on it and think you’re fast now.
Read As: “How about now? Will you renew your season tix now? He’s awesome. I promise!”
Personally, I’m not buying the statement of “being back” with bringing in one guy I’ve never heard of. That could be on me for not knowing Russian/Italian soccer very well, but I’m gonna need a bit more reassurance.
I watch Serie A, and he’s pretty good. But it is crazy that Garth says we are “back” after one signing 😂
So, who would you compare him to?
I don’t necessarily disagree, but this is the first time I’ve seen GL go full fledged promoter for an acquisition. Which makes me think he sees this as a big win.