Rob Valentino was named Atlanta United’s interim head coach on June 3, 2024. He has been with the club since 2018 and has served in several roles, primarily as an assistant coach with the First Team since 2019.
Valentino was previously named interim head coach during the 2021 season and compiled a 4-2-2 record while leading the team. He returned to serving as an assistant coach and played a key role in helping the team finish the season with the most points in MLS (33) during the second half of the season. Following the season, he agreed to a multiyear contract extension on Nov. 16, 2021 to remain on staff as an assistant coach.
During his time in Atlanta, Valentino has played a key role in player development, working with players such as 2017 MLS SuperDraft selection and United States Men’s National Team defender Miles Robinson, as well as the progression of multiple players from ATL UTD 2 to the First Team, including Homegrown defenders George Bello, George Campbell and Caleb Wiley.
The Illinois native originally joined the club on Jan. 23, 2018 as assistant coach for Atlanta United 2’s inaugural season before being promoted to assistant coach with Atlanta United’s First Team prior to 2019. Before Atlanta, Valentino served as an assistant coach for Orlando City B since August 2015.
Before becoming a coach, Valentino played professionally for eight years as a defender. He was drafted No. 13 overall in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft by New England Revolution and later played for Colorado Rapids and FC Tampa Bay before landing at Orlando City in 2011 for the team’s inaugural season. Valentino made 77 appearances over five seasons at center back, scoring nine goals, and won three regular season USL championships and two postseason titles with Orlando City. He was voted 2011 USL Defender of the Year and was named team captain after his first season. He played one season with Arizona United in 2015 before announcing his retirement.
Valentino attended the University of San Francisco where he played and served as team captain for four seasons. He was named the West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore and the West Coast Conference Player of the Year as a junior.