New York City FC has announced the departure of head coach Nick Cushing, marking the end of a nearly two-year tenure that was declared on Tuesday.
Since taking over in June 2022 as interim head coach, before being appointed to the permanent role in November 2022, Cushing has steered the team across all competitions, accumulating an overall 40-win, 40-loss, and 27-draw record, leaving a lasting legacy on the team.
During his leadership, NYCFC successfully qualified for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs twice in three seasons. Notably, in 2022, the team reached the Eastern Conference Final and demonstrated remarkable resilience. In the ongoing season, NYCFC secured sixth place in the Eastern Conference with a total of 50 points. Unfortunately, the team faced a 2-0 defeat against their longstanding rivals, the New York Red Bulls, in the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Saturday night.
“We are grateful for the invaluable contributions Nick has made to the club, but after careful consideration, we have come to the realization that it’s essential to steer the team in a fresh direction as we begin preparations for the 2025 season and the years that follow,” stated David Lee, sporting director.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to Nick for his tireless efforts and wish him and his family the very best in their future endeavors.”
CFG ties
Nick Cushing has been an integral part of City Football Group for nearly two decades, joining the organization back in 2006. Throughout his remarkable journey, he progressed from the Manchester City Academy to eventually leading the Manchester City women’s team in 2013, expertly guiding them to a total of six trophies, showcasing his exceptional coaching skills and leadership.
Subsequently, in 2020, Cushing joined NYCFC, initially taking on the role of an assistant under former manager Ronny Deila. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in NYCFC’s MLS Cup 2021-winning staff and led the Cityzens to claim the 2022 Campeones Cup title, an achievement that highlighted his exceptional coaching abilities.
“Nick has been the driving force behind the creation of countless wonderful memories for our club. Under his guidance, our players and staff have significantly benefited from his profound knowledge and experience. His unwavering passion for the game has been truly infectious, and we would like to express our deepest gratitude to Nick for the resounding success he brought to our club,” said CEO Brad Sims.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to our loyal fans for their unconditional support throughout the year. As a club, we consistently set ourselves extremely high standards and ambitious targets each season, and our primary focus is now geared towards meticulous preparations for the 2025 season.”
Core roster
This season has witnessed numerous standout performances from NYCFC’s key players, including Matt Freese, the talented goalkeeper who demonstrated exceptional skills throughout the season; All-Star center back Thiago Martins; skilled midfielders Santiago Rodríguez, Keaton Parks, and James Sands; and the enigmatic striker Alonso Martínez, who brought sheer dynamism to the team.
In addition to its existing talent, NYCFC is proud to boast a strong core of young players, featuring talented fullbacks Mitja Ilenič and Tayvon Gray, agile wingers Julián Fernández and Agustín Ojeda, and striker Jovan Mijatović, all of whom showcase immense potential to shape the team’s future. Notably, homegrown left back Christian McFarlane is reportedly set to join Manchester City during the upcoming winter transfer window, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in his career.
