Fox Soccer graded each MLS’ teams coaching situation.

Their grade for Atlanta United’s Tata Martino was... not something you’d want to see on a report card:

Atlanta United, Tata Martino: C-

Coaching Lionel Messi is all very well and good, but it certainly doesn't prepare a manager to take the reins of an MLS expansion team. Foreign coaches don't always do so well in MLS and Martino has been learning English to be ready for the job in Atlanta, leaving some doubts about how seamless his transition from the Argentina national team will be. Atlanta are being ambitious with their signings and Martino is undoubtedly helping them attract players, but getting the day-to-day management right once the season starts is a huge question mark.

While this certainly reads more like an “incomplete” or a “n/a”, we’ll pretend the teacher has the authority to write this down on the report card.

Is it a fair grade? No, of course not.

“Coaching Lionel Messi” might not prepare Tata Martino for all of the quirks and travel strain of MLS, but it did build a reputation that has enabled Atlanta United to sign several talented players. We’ll circle back to that (or maybe you will).

“Foreign coaches don’t always do so well in MLS” and neither do most American coaches. As always, these things tend to be reliant on the club and how willing a person is able to adjust to being a head coach. Patrick Vieira, a “foreign coach”, isn’t a wizard. He had a clear, competent plan and New York City FC supported his ambitions.

“Martino has been learning English to be ready for the job” shouldn’t be something that creates doubt. Wouldn’t it be worse if he came here and refused to learn English? I don’t see how a coach learning a new language to better communicate with his team and adjust to American life is considered a negative. And even if he chose to continue speaking Spanish (and only Spanish), would it be that much of a problem? He wouldn’t be the first coach to speak a different language than the majority of his players.

“Martino is undoubtedly helping them attract players”. Yes, he is. Almost like he has an international reputation and the respect of Lionel Messi or something.

“Getting the day-to-day management right once the season starts is a huge question mark.” I’m sure the man who has managed ten clubs and two countries after a 17-year professional playing career will not struggle with day-to-day management. But if that is a potential issue, perhaps wait for him to make a mistake before assigning a grade based upon imagined failures.

There’s an old expression “Cs get degrees”. If Martino (a “C”) is able to navigate through the difficult waters of MLS and lead Atlanta to a playoff spot in its first two seasons, then I think everyone will take that.