Atlanta City FC’s leadership team is taking shape.
The National Women’s Soccer League expansion side has named Richard Gunney its Chief Soccer Officer, the club announced Monday.
Gunney comes to Atlanta from reigning NWSL champions Gotham FC, where he has served as director of scouting and recruitment since 2022.
It’s not his first time helping shepherd an expansion club. The Wales native was an assistant head coach for the San Diego Wave in its inaugural season 2021-2022. He previously worked as an assistant head coach for the Portland Thorns from 2017-2021.
“As an expansion club, we have a unique chance to establish a lasting identity, high-performance culture and clear soccer philosophy from day one,” Gunney said in a news release.
According to the release, Gunney’s role entails “short-, medium- and long-term soccer strategies, ensuring alignment between performance objectives, player development and roster planning.”
He will assume the new position on Nov. 1, reporting to Atlanta City FC President of Soccer Mauricio Culebro.
“With a decade of experience in the NWSL across coaching, scouting, player recruitment and development, Richard is uniquely qualified to take on this role and develop a championship-caliber club for Atlanta,” Culebro said in the release.
