Curtin sacked by Philadelphia Union, Arena new San Jose head coach

The Philadelphia Union have parted ways with head coach Jim Curtin, the club announced on Thursday.

Curtin was the second-longest serving coach in the MLS, only behind Sporting Kansas City’s Peter Vermes, but his 10-year stint at Subaru Park has finally come to an end.

During the 45-year-old’s tenure, the Union won the 2020 Supporters’ Shield and made the 2022 MLS Cup final.

But Philadelphia struggled this season, finishing 12th in the Eastern Conference standings and therefore missing the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2017.

Curtin oversaw 394 matches in all competitions, winning 170 (D90 L134), ending with a win percentage of 41.9%.

“We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Jim for his passion and dedication to this club over the last 10 seasons,” sporting director Ernst Tanner said in a statement.

“He greatly contributed to the success the club has achieved in recent years and for that, we are extremely grateful.

“We thank Jim for the significant impact he made both on the field and in the community. Following the 2024 season, we recognise the need for change.

“We’ll continue to evaluate our sporting strategy and make the necessary changes this offseason to best set the team up for success.”

Statement from Philadelphia Union https://t.co/AlkgXKt4U2 pic.twitter.com/m9j0jpgabE

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) November 7, 2024

In the Western Conference, the San Jose Earthquakes named Bruce Arena as their new head coach and sporting director after a poor 2024 season.

They conceded a MLS-record 78 goals and finished bottom of the overall league standings, parting ways with Luchi Gonzalez in June before being led by interim boss Ian Russell.

Arena takes charge of his fifth club in the MLS and his first since resigning from his position with the New England Revolution in 2023.

The 73-year-old is the most accomplished coach in MLS history, leading the league in regular-season wins (262) and Audi MLS Cup Playoffs victories (35).

Additionally, Arena led the United States at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and won three CONCACAF Gold Cup titles.

“I am extremely excited for the opportunity to come to San Jose,” said Arena.

“I coached my first ever professional game at Spartan Stadium in 1996 – the first game in MLS history – and my first international game with the U.S. in 1998 was in San Jose.

“The Earthquakes and Northern California have a proud soccer tradition.

“There’s a lot of potential with the club, and I am looking forward to working with everyone here to unlock that potential and get back to winning ways.”