Philadelphia Union announce that the Jim Curtin Era is officially over after 10 years with the club

The Jim Curtin era with the Philadelphia Union is officially over. After a decade of wearing the Union crest, the hometown hero has been relieved of his duties.

The Union announced Thursday that Jim Curtin, the Oreland native who’s been with the club through thick and thin, is out as manager. For Union fans, this isn’t just another coaching change—this feels like the end of a chapter.

Jim Curtin’s been with the Union for 10 years, making him the longest-serving manager in club history and one of the most tenured in all of MLS. You don’t stick around in this league that long without some serious credentials, and Curtin had them in spades.

With two MLS Coach of the Year awards (2020 and 2022) and an all-time record of 170-134-90, he helped make the Union into a scrappy, overachieving team that regularly punched above its weight which was impressive because the Union front offices have never been a club that was considered a “big spender.”

Don’t get me wrong, when that “blue-collar mentality” worked, it was magic. This team didn’t just compete; they crushed teams with relentless pressing and a team-first approach.

In 2020, they bagged the Supporters’ Shield, and in 2022, they came heartbreakingly close to winning it again, losing out on a technicality. And who could forget that gut-wrenching MLS Cup final, losing in penalties after coughing up a late lead?

Jim Curtin came within inches of delivering major trophies to Chester, but it was never quite enough. Year after year, he faced squads with deeper pockets and more star power, but he still managed to make Philly one of the hardest teams to play against. Curtin squeezed every last drop out of this team, and it’s honestly wild he did what he did with so little.

For a guy who just signed an extension through 2026 last summer, this move doesn’t scream “calculated business decision.” This is a statement, plain and simple, and not the kind Union fans were hoping for.

The Union don’t play fast and loose with their money. Jay Sugarman and the front office have always operated with a cautious, almost penny-pinching mentality. Eating that contract extension indicates that friction has been brewing for a while now and apparently if you stuck around for Curtin’s press conference over the last season, there was an overwheling sense of frustration with his words.

Jim Curtin adamantly discussed the need “all 11 players” to step up, and that wasn’t just coach-speak but rather a broadcast to everyone that the Union don’t have star power—they’re a blue-collar, grind-it-out team, and he was tired of it. He wanted the resources to take things up a notch, but the ownership’s wallet stayed closed.

That being said, 2024 obviously didn’t go as planned. A down year marked the first time since 2017 the Union missed the playoffs- something that clearly didn’t sit well with the front office.

Sporting Director Ernst Tanner thanked Curtin for his decade of dedication but didn’t sugarcoat the reality. “Following the 2024 season, we recognize the need for change,” Tanner said, pointing to some hard truths about where the team stands.

Union owner Jay Sugarman was a little softer in his farewell, calling Jim Curtin “a remarkable leader” and recognizing the impact he’s had on the Union’s journey. But even he knows the writing was on the wall. Sugarman left the door open for Curtin’s next chapter, saying he’s confident Philly’s favorite soccer son will find success elsewhere.

Regardless, at the end of the day, change is the name of the game in sports, and it’s clear the Union are looking to turn the page.

Now, the search is on for a new face on the sideline—someone who can keep the Union’s heart but bring some fresh energy to a team that’s hungry for another playoff run.

Philadelphia Union Official Statement on Jim Curtain Release:

CHESTER, Pa. (November 7, 2024) – Philadelphia Union today announced they have parted ways with Head Coach Jim Curtin. As the process to find a new head coach will begin immediately, details regarding the interim coaching staff will be announced in the coming days.

“Jim has been a remarkable leader and an integral part of our team’s success during his tenure,” said Jay Sugarman, Principal Owner, Philadelphia Union. “I have had the privilege to watch him grow into one of the top coaches in the league and deliver strong results and memorable moments that will be ingrained in our club’s history. This has been a difficult decision due in part to the immense gratitude and respect we have for him. We have no doubt he’ll find great success in his future coaching endeavors.”

“We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Jim for his passion and dedication to this club over the last ten seasons. He greatly contributed to the success the club has achieved in recent years and for that we are extremely grateful,” said Ernst Tanner, Sporting Director, Philadelphia Union. “We thank Jim for the significant impact he made both on the field and in the community. Following the 2024 season we recognize the need for change. We’ll continue to evaluate our sporting strategy and make necessary changes this offseason to best set the team up for success.”

Curtin was named head coach of the Union in 2014. Over the course of 11 seasons, he broke numerous records and set new milestones. Most notably, Curtin guided the Union to their first MLS Cup final appearance in 2022 after a record-breaking season, including most wins (19), most goals scored (72), fewest goals conceded (26), and greatest goal differential (+46) in club history. Additionally, Curtin helped the club achieve first place in the Eastern Conference for the second time in three years, clinching a Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League berth for the second time in club history.

Curtin became the youngest two-time recipient of the Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year award (2020, 2022), becoming the fifth coach overall in league history to win the award multiple times and the first Philadelphia-based head coach across the five major North American men’s professional sports leagues to twice win a Coach of the Year award in their respective sport.

The club has begun their search for a head coach, following Major League Soccer’s guidelines.

Philadelphia Union Principal Owner Jay Sugarman and Sporting Director Ernst Tanner will address the media on Monday, November 11.

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