Atlanta Silverbacks Name New Head Coach
Brian Haynes
The Atlanta Silverbacks named their new head coach on Wednesday. Brian Haynes, the former Trinidad and Tobago international, will take over for Eric Wynalda in mid August when Wynalda goes back to work with FOX Soccer where he recently signed a new 3-year contract as a TV analyst. Until then Haynes will serve as assistant to Wynalda. He is already with the team and will be on the bench this coming Saturday when the Silverbacks will be tested by the 1st place Puerto Rico Islanders who travel to Atlanta.
Wynalda took over the interim coaching position on July 2 and was also named team advisor. He told IMS in an interview on July 3 that his first and foremost duty was to get the team turned around and to find a permanent head coach for the team. In that interview, Wynalda stated that he had already found whom he believe to be the new coach of the Silverbacks from a field of candidates. He explained that he just needed to finish up the formalities of signing him on to the team.
“Finding the right person to lead your team is usually a very difficult process, but knowing someone like Brian made it a lot easier,” Wynalda said. “Our candidate needed to meet very specific criteria, and I can say that Brian fits in on all levels.”
The 50-year-old Haynes brings six seasons of experience as an assistant in Major League Soccer with the Dallas Burn (now FC Dallas). He was with the organization from 2000-2006, and helped the team get to the U.S. Open Cup final in 2000 and 2005.
Following his time in MLS, Haynes took charge of USL W-League side Real Colorado Cougars from 2007-2008. He then settled in Texas with his family, becoming the Boys Director for Albion Hurricanes FC, an elite youth club in Houston.
Haynes is somewhat familiar with Atlanta from his time spent playing for the Atlanta Attack indoor team from 1989-1991. He also played with the Kansas City Attack, Colorado Foxes, and Seattle Sounders in the mid-90s. In 1996, Haynes was taken in the fourth round of the inaugural MLS SuperDraft by the Dallas Burn, where he would play five seasons as a regular in their starting lineup.
Comments are closed.
Best coach ever!!!
they are going all the way to the championship
When I spent a year in Atlanta, I used to watch Brian play. He’s great! Looking forward to him turning the team around. HUGE FAN!!! Go Brian!!
I am loving this hire for the long suffering Silverbacks fans.
We only have two wins this season! cant get worse than that… I’m predicting, with our new coach we pull out a win against the Islanders
Its a good start back to respectability
We will dearly miss you! Best coach my children ever had. We wish you the best in your new role and maybe we will make a trip to Atlanta to see you in action with your new team! Silverbacks you have a treasure now, take care of him.
We”ll miss you in Houston, wish you the best, we know you will do great.