FC Dallas’ disappointing start to the 2024 MLS season has led to a coaching change.
Nico Estevez has left his role as head coach, the Western Conference club announced Sunday. Assistant coach Peter Luccin will manage the club on an interim basis as the search for a new head coach begins immediately.
Estevez was hired in December 2021 and registered a 28-27-28 record during his time as head coach. FC Dallas made back-to-back playoff appearances during Estevez’s reign as head coach.
“It is always a difficult decision to part ways with your head coach. A great deal of thought and deliberation went into this move as it is still early in the season. We believe a coaching change is in the best interest of the club,” said FC Dallas President Dan Hunt. “I want to thank Nico for everything he has done for the club, including some great playoff memories.”
He previously served as an assistant coach under U.S. men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter.
FC Dallas has struggled for most of 2024, winning just three of its 16 league matches to date. They are sitting second-from-bottom in the Western Conference.
“Peter Luccin has been a part of this club at all levels – a player, an Academy coach and a first team assistant,” said Hunt. “He knows our players and understands the culture of our club, and we appreciate his willingness to step up and lead during this transition.”
FC Dallas next hosts St. Louis CITY SC on Saturday, June 15.
Any coaching or playing job in Texas is a tough, tough slog in the summer, and only more so as May and September temperatures are now often as high as June, July, and August. I feel for them all. Good luck to Estévez.
Taking nearly all the games off of local TV was also a blow to many fans, who may now be even less motivated to go and sit in the stands when it’s stifling.
In the meantime, I confess I’ve watched a game or two of San Antonio, since it’s turned up on an obscure cable channel. USL isn’t as bad as I thought it might be, and people come watch them. (After dark, with mosquito repellent …) Anyone remember Agudelo? (-:
Dallas is an experienced outfit that will carry on, especially if they can just get to the midpoint where they can hire people coming from fall-to-spring calendars. Once again.
Sounds like they are finally going to add covered seating around the rest of the stadium in Dallas. Dallas hasn’t had much luck in the transfer market and now when an academy player has success they get quickly snapped up. Injuries to Velasco and Pomykal only add to the troubles. As his 28-27-28 record would indicate he hasn’t been good but hasn’t necessarily been bad. I would think former FC Dallas manager and fellow Berhalter coaching tree member Luchi Gonzalez is also on the hot seat in San Jose.