Latte Lath: Carrick never screamed, he knew how to listen

Union Berlin striker Latte Lath reflects on his Bundesliga debut goal, his difficult spell at Atlanta, and working with Michael Carrick at Middlesbrough.

Emmanuel Latte Lath scored within three minutes of his Bundesliga debut for Union Berlin against Eintracht Frankfurt, a moment he describes as an emotional explosion after a career that had stalled. The 27-year-old striker joined Union Berlin after a disappointing spell at MLS side Atlanta, where his £22.5m transfer from Middlesbrough failed to deliver the expected impact despite 11 goals in 48 games.

In an interview, Latte Lath reflects on his journey from Côte d'Ivoire through Italian football to the Championship, where he thrived under Michael Carrick at Middlesbrough, scoring 16 goals in his debut season. He credits Carrick's calm, observational approach and willingness to listen as key to his success: "He never screamed like crazy. He just tried to analyse the moment and analyse the players and help us talk."

Latte Lath also discusses his regrets about the Atlanta move, admitting he allowed others to influence his decisions rather than trusting his instincts. He is now working with a mental coach to help him fulfil his potential in Germany and navigate life as a new father.