The Philadelphia Union have removed the interim tag from Jim Curtin and named him the permanent manager of the club. Curtin took over the team in June after John Hackworth was fired, but originally, the Union planned to go outside the club for someone to lead them next season. That plan changed when Curtin brought the Union back into playoff contention in the second half of the season.
Jim Curtin named Philadelphia Union manager
The Union are taking the interim tag off of Curtin.
John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Curtin did a great job with the Union after they got off to a disastrous start under Hackworth and were near the bottom of the table. Unfortunately, after getting into the playoff contention, the team struggled down the stretch and failed to qualify, but they still went 10-6-7 under his leadership. He also took them to the U.S. Open Cup final, where they were bested by the Seattle Sounders in extra time.
The 35-year-old Curtin was been a complete revelation for Philadelphia after a remarkably bad start to the campaign. The players took to him and some even openly campaigned that he be hired permanently. The team is both scored at a higher rate and gave up fewer goals, and all of that without making any major signings.
Curtin spent nine years as a player in MLS, first for the Chicago Fire and then for Chivas USA. In 2013, the Philadelphia native joined the Union as an assistant coach, a position he held until be named the interim manager three months ago.
MLS clubs have targeted former players in recent years to be managers and Curtin makes it 16 former MLS players as managers in the 19-team league. When New York City FC joins next season, Jason Kreis will be the 20th.
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