ATLANTA (AP) — Brad Guzan, who retired last year as Atlanta United’s all-time leader in appearances, wins, saves and shutouts, was named the team’s club ambassador and sports advisor on Thursday.
Guzan will report directly to Chief Football Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson. Guzan looks back on his 21-year career as a goalkeeper, including highlights from his 2018 MLS Cup and 2019 U.S. Open Cup wins with Atlanta. announced his retirement After last season.
In his new role on Henderson’s staff, Guzan will support all areas of soccer operations, while also working on the team’s community activities.
Guzan described the opportunity as a “learning role.”
“We are fortunate to be able to visit all the different departments on the other side of the building and see how everything works behind the scenes,” Guzan said Thursday. “So, for me, that part that you don’t normally get to see as a player is really interesting and really interesting. So I’m excited to take in all that information. And if this is something I want to do long-term, what’s the next best thing if I can’t be on the field and be a part of the game in that aspect? For me, this is really exciting.”
Guzan said he spent the past two years earning a master’s degree at the Global Institute of Sports, which helped prepare him for a career in the front office.
“Now, all of a sudden, we have this opportunity to actually experience it and see it firsthand,” he said. “Is this to see if this is something I want to do long term?”
Guzan said Atlanta United gave him the flexibility to seek work as a television analyst.
“I’m really lucky,” Guzan said. “In terms of the media side, this is not over. So I can still do TV work throughout the year. And I’m still going to do work on that side. And, you know, in addition to external media, I’m going to do a lot of media work within the club in terms of videos and podcasts.”
Regarding the possibility of becoming a coach in the future, Guzan said, “I would never say never.”
“In the short term, I think we’re going to look more at the front office side,” he said.
Guzan’s playing career included nine seasons in the Premier League with Aston Villa, Hull and Middlesborough. He played in 64 games with the U.S. national team, won three Gold Cups, and was named to the U.S. squad for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. He was the starting keeper for the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
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