Tuesday’s press conference at Q2 Stadium diverged from the norm, breaking away from the traditional format of showcasing a new coach.
As Austin FC formally introduced Nico Estévez, marking him as the second coach in the club’s history after the recent dismissal of Josh Wolff, the overall atmosphere of the event leaned heavily towards justification and defense regarding the coaching decision. Estévez dedicated much of his discourse to highlighting his coaching credentials, rather than delivering the customary waves of optimism typically associated with new hires.
The announcement of Estévez’s appointment last Friday caught many off guard, revealing a general air of astonishment among fans and pundits alike.
Despite sporting director Rodolfo Borrell mentioning that an impressive “25 people inquired about the position,” featuring “some names you wouldn’t believe,” Austin FC ultimately opted for a coach recently released by their rivals, FC Dallas, just five months prior.
“There was a good amount of interest in the club,” Borrell said Tuesday about the coaching search. He expressed admiration for Estévez’s experience in youth academies and asserted that “Nico was the person that we had to hire.” He emphasized the crucial need to align the new hire with the club’s vision, stating, “I have to look at somebody who I believe is capable of implementing what we want on the pitch and develop it.”
Nico Estévez is no stranger to Austin FC
Nico Estévez, 44, is not without his credentials, having demonstrated success throughout different coaching roles, and he managed to hold his own during a press conference where inquiries often focused on his recent departure from FC Dallas. However, the circumstances surrounding this appointment raise eyebrows, appearing questionable in light of his previous dismissal. Had Estévez been let go by a lower-tier Spanish club, the reaction would likely have been muted; instead, he finds himself stepping into an Austin FC role after guiding Dallas to a 3-8-5 start this season, representing the weakest offensive performance in the Western Conference.
Moreover, both Estévez and Wolff share a coaching lineage, having served as assistants under Gregg Berhalter in Columbus—previously owned by Austin FC’s owner, Anthony Precourt—and with the U.S. men’s national team.
“(Wolff) and I have a relationship that started almost 10 years ago,” shared Estévez, originally hailing from Valencia, Spain. “I called him the day (Borrell) called me.”
Borrell offered an attempt to diffuse the peculiarities associated with hiring a coach who has ties to the individual he just let go, asserting, “Everyone in U.S. soccer knows each other.” While this statement has merit, the situation undeniably exemplifies the bizarre intersections of the sport’s inner workings.
Borrell acknowledged that Austin’s notorious hot and humid weather conditions have deterred prospective coaches and players from considering roles within the club, suggesting it poses significant challenges to sustained success. Estévez’s prior experience with the conditions in Dallas and Spain will undoubtedly influence his approach.
“The one thing I’ve learned is how to manage the load in training with the heat,” he commented. “If you haven’t experienced that every single day training in that heat — it’s mentally consuming. You have to be creative.”
Revisiting Estévez’s ups, downs coaching FC Dallas
While Estévez’s time at FC Dallas wasn’t wholly disastrous, the team achieved commendable standings during his tenure, finishing third in the Western Conference in 2022 and winning a playoff match. The club managed to secure another playoff berth last season, finishing seventh despite facing numerous injuries early in the year, particularly to key players like star midfielder Paxton Pomykal. Adding to the team’s challenges was the league’s obstruction of a $13 million transfer involving star forward Jesús Ferreira, which potentially stifled further investments in player acquisitions.
“It was my responsibility,” Estévez acknowledged. “But coaches are human and cannot make miracles every season.”
With Borrell’s established track record of astute decisions and his history of working with European football powerhouses like Barcelona and Manchester City, he retains a degree of trust from the fan base. Ultimately, evaluations of coaching hires come full circle only after assessing their entire tenure, which far too often leads to dismissals.
However, the peculiar dynamics surrounding Estévez’s hiring mean that Precourt, Borrell, and the principles of the club are left with an expeditious evaluation period, arguably more limited than if they had selected a different candidate for the role.
“I would like to remind everyone that all coaches get hired and fired,” Borrell stated. “We went through a detailed process. At the moment we interviewed, he stood out and ticked all the boxes.”
