Austin FC signs Nico Estevez as their new head coach

It didn’t take long for Austin FC to fill the head coach position.

Nico Estevez has been signed from the Western Conference club and will officially begin his role after the FIFA window in November. The 44-year-old Estevez continued as assistant coach of the US men’s national team under Mauricio Pochettino.

“We want to thank Nico for all of his contributions to the program,” said Matt Crocker, U.S. Soccer athletic director. “He is a fantastic coach and an even better person. We wish him continued success.”

Estévez was most recently head coach at fellow MLS team FC Dallas, leading them to the playoffs in 2022 and 2023. During this time he compiled a record of 35-32-30 with FC Dallas.

He also coached Huracan Valencia, Valencia B and Valencia’s first team in his home country of Spain. Estevez’s most famous win was a 1-0 win in La Liga against European giants Real Madrid.

“Austin is a vibrant city with fantastic music, food, culture and, most importantly, a fan base that is incredibly passionate about soccer and Austin FC,” said Estévez. “This passion was one of the main reasons why it was so exciting for me to come to Austin, and I look forward to growing the local team while getting to know our supporters on a personal level. I would like to thank Rodolfo and the entire club for this opportunity.”

Austin FC’s 2025 preseason officially begins on January 11th. The club failed to make the playoffs in 2024, leading to the dismissal of Josh Wolff as head coach.