Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Dundonian boss American Dream
STEPHEN Glass may be 4,000 miles away but he is still flying the flag for Scotland as he lives out his very own American dream.
The Dundee-born new interim head coach of Atlanta United may have to pinch himself when he walks out at the huge MercedesBenz Stadium on Sunday for the opening game of the Major League Soccer season against Nashville.
Glass is made of the determination, stoicism and selfbelief so prevalent in his home city so the man who was linked with the Dundee United vacancy earlier this summer will not be overawed.
Instead, he seems to have taken in his stride the daunting task of replacing Dutch legend Frank de Boer as boss in one of world football’s highest-profile leagues.
His top target is a winning start that perhaps could see his job title lose the word “interim.”
Glass (44) wants to show that Scots managers can not only survive but thrive at the top level of American soccer.
He said: “I think any time a Scottish manager or even a Scottish person is doing well in another country it is good.
“Hopefully, if I am successful then it is something that people can look at and enjoy from afar.
“Your family can do that anyway but there is a history of Scottish managers going away and doing well.
“Obviously, it is on an interim basis at the minute so we will see how it goes but I think anybody who is Scottish likes to do well abroad.”
Glass was promoted from manager of Atlanta United 2, their second team, to the top job on July 27 following de Boer’s departure.
He had been linked to the post at Tannadice prior to Micky Mellon’s appointment, not surprising given he is a lifelong United fan. However, Glass is happy with life in the Georgian capital and now the greatest of opportunities lies before him.
It is worth noting the size of the organisation.
Their Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which they share with American football team Atlanta Falcons, has a capacity of 71,000, usually reduced to 42,500 for soccer.
Also, the club is well financed and banked £21 million from the sale of Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Almiron to Newcastle. It was the highest fee paid for an MLS player.
Glass said: “It is a huge club and hugely supported.
“It’s a one-club city as well.