Let’s Not Forget Who’s Currently the Longest Tenured Coach in Philadelphia
Major Philly sports news broke this week that the Eagles fired Head Coach Doug Pederson. This led to many news sources reporting that Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault is the longest-tenured coach in Philadelphia.
While we love our friends over at PHLFlyersNation, that just isn’t true…
Photo: Wes Shepherd/PHLSportsNation
Jim Curtin took over for former Union Head Coach John Hackworth midseason in 2014, and he was only supposed to be an interim manager.
Under Curtin, however, the 2014 Union lost just 5 of their final 16 games while going all the way to the final of the US Open Cup. This earned Curtin a full-time job as manager for the club.
Since Curtin took over, the Union have seen a constant step forward year after year.
This includes multiple trips to the US Open Cup finals. Curtin led the Union to their first playoff win in club history in 2019, a thrilling 4-3 Extra Time win at Home against the New York Red Bulls.
Just a year later, in the middle of a pandemic, Curtin led the Union to the first trophy in club history, the Supporters Shield. Not only did he bring home the Shield, but Curtin was also awarded 2020 MLS Coach of the Year.
Curtin’s reign hasn’t always been full of sunshine. Many Union fans wanted to “Close the Curtin” on his reign just a few years ago. Little did they know just a little bit in the future, Jim Curtin would have the Union in the CONCACAF champions league and have developed 2 young homegrowns to be transferred for millions of dollars.
We know the Union don’t get the respect they deserve in the media but don’t discredit what Jim Curtin has done for the Union and the city of Philadelphia.
Featured Image: Wes Shepherd/PHLSportsNation
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Categorized:Union