NYCFC appoint Nick Cushing as permanent head coach following interim spell
By Chris Smith
New York City FC have named Nick Cushing as their new permanent head coach, the club announced Thursday.
Cushing had been serving as interim head coach since the departure of Ronny Deila in June, overseeing an 8-8-5 record in MLS regular-season play.
After an initially slow start, Cushing was able to inspire NYCFC to a strong finish to the 2022 season, once again reaching the MLS Cup Playoffs - where they beat Inter Miami and CF Montreal to make the Eastern Conference Final before losing to the Philadelphia Union. NYCFC also lifted the Campeones Cup title.
The terms and duration of Cushing's deal have been witheld by NYCFC.
"To have the responsibility of taking this incredible football club forward and lead the team and to continue to be successful is what I am really excited about," the Englishman said in a statement.
“I want to thank everyone at City Football Group for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to continue to grow and develop as a coach. New York City is such a special place, there are some real special people here at the club. We feed off our city, we feed off of our fans. We feel like our fans deserve a team that plays good football but also delivers trophies and I have the desire to continue that.”
This latest appointment continues a 16-year association with the City Football Group for Cushing, who has previously managed Man City's women's team, winning six trophies - including the 2016 Women's Super League.
“We are delighted to name Nick Cushing as Head Coach of New York City Football Club. We have been incredibly impressed at how Nick has been able to take over the Club and lead the team despite some of the obstacles we faced as a team last season, and this is an opportunity he thoroughly deserves," NYCFC sporting director David Lee said in a club press release.
“The period from Campeones Cup and throughout the playoffs, you saw a team forming into Nick’s image and it was clear the team had bought into some of the changes that had been implemented. We have a fantastic coaching staff with Rob Vartughian, Mehdi Ballouchy and Kleberson, and Nick is the right person to lead that group to take us into 2023 and beyond.”
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