North American Soccer League club Atlanta Silverbacks have announced the appointment of Gary Smith as their new head coach.
The 46-year old Englishman returns to the USA where he experienced success in leading the Colorado Rapids to the 2010 MLS Cup title.
Smith, who was at the helm at the Rapids between 2008 and 2012, most recently spent around 14 months as manager of English side Stevenage who were in League One when he was in charge at Broadhall Way before his March 2013 departure.
Former Fulham player and Arsenal scout Smith takes the reins at Atlanta Silverbacks Park after a tumultuous 2014 season which saw them coached at different times by technical director Eric Wynalda, Jason Smith and interim boss Alejandro Pombo.
The new Silverbacks boss told the club's official website: "I am extremely excited to be joining the Atlanta Silverbacks and the NASL.
"Having spent three years away from the U.S. soccer scene, I'm looking forward to bringing a creative and fresh mindset to challenge the talented and competitive teams that already exist in this league."
The Silverbacks finished eighth in the NASL spring season in 2014 and were sitting on the bottom of the table at the end of the fall campaign.
#Silverbacks are proud to welcome Gary Smith as the club's new head coach. http://t.co/Hy9xmr5wPMpic.twitter.com/BCtkVeEHoQ
— ATLSilverbacks (@ATLSilverbacks) December 23, 2014
