The Philadelphia Union in Chester will no longer be led by 10-year manager Jim Curtin, writes Jonathan Tannenwald for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The team announced Thursday that Curtin had been fired after the team failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

Curtin was the longest-tenured manager in Union history and the second-longest tenured anywhere in Major League Soccer through last season.

“We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Jim for his passion and dedication to this club over the last 10 seasons,” sporting director Ernst Tanner said in a statement. “He greatly contributed to the success the club has achieved in recent years and for that we are extremely grateful.”

Even with the high praise, Tanner noted that there was a need for a change after the 2024 season,

Curtin’s dismissal was a shock to many. The 45-year-old has been one of the most respected coaches in the MLS.

He’s a former Villanova University star player who won Major League Soccer’s coach of the year award in 2020 and 2022.

He also holds a career record of 170-134-90 for a team that spent the least on players.

Find out why the Union has decided to release Curtin in The Philadelphia Inquirer.