Glass seen as safe pair of hands by Atlanta chief

President Darren Eales admits that Dundonian Stephen Glass is an outsider to be named permanent manager of Atlanta United.

The 44-year-old has taken the reins of the MLS giants on an interim basis following the dismissal of Dutch legend Frank de Boer last week.

Glass has stepped up from his role in charge of Atlanta United 2 in the United Soccer League (USL) and has made no secret of his desire to stake a claim for the top job.

Atlanta United were dumped out of the MLS is Back Tournament last month, prompting de Boer’s exit, and there is yet to be a firm date for the regular 2020 campaign to resume, having been paused after two rounds in March.

However, reports from the States suggest league fixtures could start again towards the end of August, giving Glass an opportunity to shine.

But Eales, who is also a director at Aberdeen, sees Glass’ immediate future with the club’s second string – although he has not ruled out a U-turn on that.

He said: “We have the interim coach in place with Stephen (Glass) and we see him as a safe pair of hand.

“The plan is for him to remain in place while we do the search, then go back to the USL team.

“The USL team (Atlanta United 2) remains an important part of our pipeline and we need that production line of talent coming through, particularly in a salary cap environment.

“We want to carry out a search for the right person and, being completely honest, I don’t know how long it will take.

“But the one thing we have learned through this pandemic is that everything can change.”

Stephen Glass is in the running for the Atlanta United job.