Atlanta United is officially entering a new era at the very top of the organization.
The club has confirmed that Garth Lagerwey will not return as President and CEO for the 2026 season, bringing his tenure to an end less than three years after he joined Atlanta from Seattle. Lagerwey has been on an indefinite leave of absence since July while prioritizing his cancer treatment and recovery, and while his prognosis remains encouraging, the club has made it clear that the leadership role requires full-time attention.
“I am mindful that leadership of Atlanta United requires full-time attention, and right now I simply must focus on my health and ongoing cancer treatment,” Lagerwey said previously. “I am appreciative of the club considering my health needs during such a challenging time.”
During his absence, day-to-day operations have been handled by Chris Henderson (Chief Soccer Officer), Dimitrios Efstathiou (VP of Strategy) and Sarah Kate Noftsinger (Chief Business Officer). But now, Atlanta United is officially searching for a new, elevated President & CEO role—a position that will oversee both the MLS team and the new NWSL franchise launching in 2028.
This is no ordinary executive hire. This is a dual-sport leadership role that will shape the future of Atlanta soccer on both the men’s and women’s sides.
And with that in mind, here are the four candidates on the early Atlanta radar.
Bill Manning — The MLS Power Executive
If Atlanta United wants a battle-tested MLS executive, Bill Manning instantly jumps to the top of the list.
Manning previously served as the president and general manager of Toronto FC and helped guide major roster rebuilds, international signings, and business growth across multiple pro sports properties. He understands:
- MLS roster construction
- Soccer business operations
- League politics
- High-pressure rebuild environments
For Atlanta, Manning would bring structure, stability, and institutional MLS credibility. He’s the type of executive who knows how to rebuild fast without panicking—and knows how to balance both business and soccer operations at the highest level.
The downside? His background is heavily MLS-centric, and Atlanta’s next leader must also have strong alignment with women’s professional sports. Still, if the club wants safe, proven leadership, Manning makes a lot of sense.
Angela Hucles Mangano — The Women’s Soccer Builder
If Atlanta wants to make a statement about its NWSL commitment, Angela Hucles Mangano is one of the most compelling names on the board.
Currently serving as President of Women’s Soccer for the Houston Dash, Hucles Mangano is a former U.S. Women’s National Team player turned top-level executive. She brings:
- Deep women’s soccer credibility
- Player-first leadership philosophy
- League-level influence in NWSL operations
- Strong reputation for organizational culture-building
She represents the type of executive who could anchor Atlanta’s women’s soccer vision from day one while still helping shape a multi-club structure. With the NWSL team launching in 2028, having a proven women’s soccer architect at the helm could give Atlanta an enormous head start.
Camille Levin Ashton — The Expansion & Roster Architect
Camille Levin Ashton is another name that fits Atlanta’s hybrid needs extremely well.
As a top executive with experience running front-office and soccer operations at the NWSL level—most notably with the San Diego Wave—Ashton has worked in environments where:
- Rapid team building was required
- Culture had to be established from scratch
- Roster construction and business success had to scale together
Her background gives her experience in both the competitive and commercial sides of women’s soccer, and she’s the type of leader who thrives in growth environments—exactly what Atlanta is heading toward with a men’s rebuild and a new women’s expansion team.
Amy Scheer — The Multi-League Executive
Amy Scheer might be one of the most versatile executives under consideration.
With leadership experience across multiple women’s professional leagues (including the WNBA and pro women’s hockey), Scheer brings a unique perspective on:
- Launching and stabilizing women’s sports brands
- Navigating new league growth cycles
- Sponsorship development, media rights, and community engagement
For Atlanta, Scheer represents a candidate who understands the business growth engine of women’s sports, which is exploding right now. If ownership wants to lean aggressively into the commercial upside of women’s soccer alongside MLS stability, Scheer checks a lot of boxes.
Why This Hire Matters More Than Ever
This isn’t just about replacing Garth Lagerwey.
This is about defining:
- How Atlanta United moves forward competitively in MLS
- How aggressively the club builds and invests in its new NWSL expansion franchise
- Whether the club leans toward a soccer-first executive model or a sports-entertainment growth model
- How both teams operate under one unified strategic vision
Given the rising value of women’s professional sports, the next Atlanta United President & CEO must understand both men’s and women’s soccer ecosystems. This can’t be a one-track MLS hire anymore.
The Poaching Potential — And Why This Job Is So Enticing
What makes this opening even more fascinating is the real possibility that Atlanta United doesn’t just hire from the available pool — they poach someone already comfortable and successful in their current role.
And honestly? The job is enticing enough to make that possible.
This isn’t just a typical MLS President or CEO role. This is a dual-sport executive leadership position with control over:
- An established MLS powerhouse with deep resources and brand strength
- A brand-new NWSL expansion franchise launching in 2028
- One of the largest and most influential sports markets in the Southeast
- A massive built-in fanbase across men’s and women’s soccer
Very few front-office jobs in American soccer offer this kind of scope and influence at the same time.
Most executives choose between men’s and women’s sports.
This role allows someone to shape both simultaneously.
From a career standpoint, this is a legacy-defining opportunity. Whoever takes this job won’t just be managing rosters and budgets — they’ll be:
- Building an entire women’s franchise from scratch
- Overseeing one of MLS’s premier brands during a critical rebuild window
- Controlling long-term culture, infrastructure, youth development, and global partnerships
That type of power is rare in modern sports.
It’s also why executives like Angela Hucles Mangano, Camille Levin Ashton, Amy Scheer, or even an MLS veteran like Bill Manning could realistically be tempted — even if they’re currently settled elsewhere. This is the kind of role that doesn’t come around often. It’s not just a promotion. It’s a platform.
And from Atlanta’s side, this is exactly why the club can be aggressive.
They don’t have to wait for someone to become available.
They can go fishing for the right leader.
The Big Picture
Garth Lagerwey helped stabilize Atlanta United after years of turbulence. His departure marks the end of that phase.
Now the club must choose between:
- Proven MLS structure (Manning)
- Women’s soccer-first vision (Hucles Mangano)
- Expansion and roster architect experience (Levin Ashton)
- Multi-league commercial growth expertise (Scheer)
Who Atlanta chooses will quietly shape the next decade of soccer in this city.
And with an NWSL team coming in 2028, the clock is already ticking.
