AUSTIN (KXAN) — Jim Curtin is Austin FC’s new head coach, but he won’t join the team until the end of the 2026 Major League Soccer season, the team announced Monday.

Curtin, who led the Philadelphia Union from 2014-2024 with seven MLS Cup playoff appearances, was the most successful manager in club history before his firing in 2024. The Union won the Supporters’ Shield in 2020 and the Eastern Conference championship in 2022.

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Curtin replaces Nico Estevez, who was fired along with sporting director Rodolfo Borrell in May, before the league began its two-month break for the FIFA World Cup. The club is still looking for Borrell’s replacement, but club owner Anthony Precourt said he needed to act fast to secure Curtain for next season.

CHESTER, PA – JULY 20: Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin during the game between Nashville SC and the Philadelphia Union on July 20th, 2024 at Subaru Park in Chester, PA. (Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

“We believed it was important to act decisively rather than risk missing the opportunity to add a leader of Jim’s caliber,” Precourt said. “Jim Curtin is one of the premier coaches in North American soccer, and we are exceptionally proud and incredibly excited that he has chosen Austin FC to continue his impressive journey.”

Interim head coach Davy Arnaud will continue in the post until the end of the season. Verde is not in a good position to make the postseason for a second consecutive season, currently in 14th place in the 15-team Western Conference. The top nine teams in each conference at season’s end qualify for the playoffs.

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Precourt said the organization’s focus remains on making a push toward the playoffs, however, and he wants Arnaud to lead them there.

“Our focus on the 2026 season remains unchanged,” Precourt said. “We are fully committed to competing every day and achieving our objectives this season. While today’s announcement helps clarify and solidify our future, our immediate aim is to climb the standings and establish ourselves as a playoff contender in 2026 with Davy at the helm.”

Curtin will officially take over as head coach on Dec. 1 or whenever Austin’s season ends. They’ll play their final regular season against Portland on Nov. 7.

Austin returns to action after the World Cup break at Q2 Stadium on July 22 against Seattle.

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