The Philadelphia Union announced the firing of head coach Jim Curtin on November 7, 2024, marking the end of his 11-year tenure, the longest in the club's history.

Curtin's dismissal underscores the high stakes in professional sports, where a single disappointing season can lead to significant changes, despite years of building a competitive team.

Concerns were raised about Curtin's utilization of the team's roster depth, particularly with a wave of young talent poised to contribute next season.

Following his dismissal, Curtin may consider opportunities with other MLS teams currently without head coaches, such as Atlanta United and FC Dallas.

Curtin, a Philadelphia-area native, was regarded as one of the most respected coaches in MLS, having previously coached the Union Academy and developed notable players.

Under Curtin's leadership, the Union were three-time finalists in the U.S. Open Cup and reached the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup twice.

The 2024 season was particularly disappointing for the Union, as they finished 12th in the Eastern Conference, winning only nine games and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

Sources have suggested that Tanner's decisions and communication style may have contributed to the team's struggles, while Curtin reportedly became increasingly isolated internally.

Sporting director Ernst Tanner acknowledged the need for change following the season and indicated that the team would reassess its sporting strategy during the offseason.

The Union has begun the search for a new head coach and will soon provide details on the interim coaching staff.

Union owner Jay Sugarman expressed gratitude for Curtin's contributions, calling him a "remarkable leader," but acknowledged the difficulty of the decision to part ways.

During his tenure, Curtin led the team to significant achievements, including winning the Supporters' Shield in 2020 and reaching the MLS Cup final in 2022.