Austin FC has its coaching decisions decided for the remainder of the 2026 MLS season and the start of the 2027 campaign.

Davy Arnaud will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of 2026 before Jim Curtin takes over to begin 2027, the Western Conference club announced Monday. Curtin had been out of MLS since parting ways with the Philadelphia Union at the end of the 2024 campaign. 

Curtin helped the Union win the 2020 MLS Supporters’ Shield, the 2022 Eastern Conference title, and reach MLS Cup in 2022. He helped the Union qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs seven times while recording 141 regular season coaching victories at the helm. 

A former player with Chivas USA and the Chicago Fire, Curtin joined the Union organization in 2020. He worked his way through the ranks before becoming interim head coach four years later. 

“I am incredibly honored to be named the Head Coach of Austin FC. This is a moment I will never forget, and I’m grateful to Anthony Precourt, Andy Loughnane, and the Club’s ownership group for the trust placed in me,” said Curtin. “From our very first conversation, they shared a vision for Austin FC that is bold, ambitious, and built for the long term. Their belief in what this Club can become is contagious, and I’m proud to help bring that vision to life.”

“I had several other opportunities, both within MLS and abroad, but none of them excited me the way this project did. The city of Austin is unlike anywhere else and the chance to compete for this community was simply too compelling to pass up. This Club has some of the finest facilities in all of MLS, and Q2 Stadium is one of the great venues in North American soccer. To walk out in front of the supporters, in that atmosphere, is a privilege that I don’t take lightly. The passion of the Austin FC faithful is known across the League, and our goal will be to give you a team that fights and makes you proud every time we take the field.”

Arnaud will continue as interim head coach following Austin FC’s parting with Nico Estevez. Austin FC sit 13th in the 15-club Western Conference with 14 points earned through 15 matches played. 

“Our focus on the 2026 season remains unchanged,” said Precourt. “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.”

Austin FC will resume MLS play on July 22 against the Seattle Sounders after the FIFA World Cup break.

Source: Sbisoccer.com