Austin FC Sack Coach Nico Estevez and Sporting Director Rodolfo Borrell After Poor MLS Run
Austin FC have announced sweeping changes ahead of the World Cup break, confirming the departures of head coach Nico Estevez and sporting director Rodolfo Borrell after a difficult start to the MLS season.
Austin FC part ways with Nico Estevez and Rodolfo Borrell after disappointing MLS results and poor Western Conference form.
The club made the announcement on Monday following another disappointing result, a 2-1 home defeat against Sporting Kansas City. Despite earning three points, Sporting KC remain bottom of the Western Conference after winning only two of their opening 12 matches. The loss came shortly after Austin FC suffered a crushing 5-0 defeat to San Diego FC, the heaviest loss in club history.
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Austin FC confirmed that a search for both a new sporting director and head coach is already underway. The club has appointed Excel Sports Management’s executive search division, Excel Search & Advisory, to oversee the recruitment process during the upcoming 60-day midseason World Cup break.
In the meantime, Davy Arnaud will take charge on an interim basis for Saturday’s match against St. Louis City SC.
Austin FC Chief Executive Officer and Majority Owner Anthony Precourt explained the reasoning behind the decision.
“We are grateful to Rodo for his tireless dedication to improving the Club,” said Precourt. “Ultimately, we believe this decision is in the best interest of Austin FC. We know that our fans and our community deserve a winner, and our Ownership group will continue to make the necessary decisions in order to deliver consistently strong results across competitions.”
Precourt also praised Estevez while emphasizing the need for change.
“Nico has been a trusted ambassador for Austin FC and Austin during his time as Head Coach,” added Precourt. “We believe this team can compete for a playoff position, and given our results thus far, a change is necessary to achieve our goals of qualifying for the playoffs this year and becoming a consistent winner in this League.”
Estevez originally joined Austin FC in October 2024 ahead of the 2025 campaign. Before arriving in Austin, he managed FC Dallas and also served as an assistant coach with the United States men's national soccer team. During his first season, he guided Austin FC to a sixth-place conference finish and a playoff appearance before the team was eliminated in the opening round by Los Angeles FC.
Borrell joined Austin FC in 2023 after building a strong reputation working under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City as an academy director and assistant coach. Earlier in his career, he also played a major role in reshaping the academy at Liverpool FC and previously worked within La Masia. However, his work in Austin failed to produce the expected success, with the club struggling to build a competitive squad under MLS salary regulations.
Following Saturday’s trip to St. Louis, Austin FC will enter MLS’s nearly two-month World Cup break. The club’s next scheduled match will come on July 22 against the Seattle Sounders FC.