Austin FC has announced that Nico Estevez will be their new head coach. Estevez, who is 44 years old, will officially start his job after the international break in November. He was previously an assistant coach for the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT), working with head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Estevez was hired after Austin FC’s previous head coach, Josh Wolff, left the team on October 6. This season, the team struggled, finishing 10th in the Western Conference with only 39 points and scoring just 36 goals, the lowest in the league. Austin’s sporting director, Rodolfo Borrell, highlighted the need for change to improve the team’s performance.
Before joining Austin FC, Estevez coached FC Dallas, leading the team to the playoffs in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons. His record there was 35 wins, 32 draws, and 30 losses. He also has experience in Spain, where he worked with Valencia and achieved a victory against Real Madrid.
Estevez shared his excitement for the new job, saying, “Austin is a lively city with great music, food, and enthusiastic fans. I’m looking forward to building the team and connecting with our supporters.”
The USMNT is set to play Jamaica in the Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinals, with matches scheduled for November 14 in Kingston and November 18 in St. Louis. U.S. Soccer’s Sporting Director, Matt Crocker, thanked Estevez for his contributions to the national team, calling him a fantastic coach and an even better person, wishing him well on his next journey.
Estevez’s arrival marks an important moment for Austin FC as they look to turn things around and aim for better performance next season. The team will begin its 2025 preseason on January 11, hoping to compete for a playoff spot under Estevez’s leadership.
