Austin FC part ways with head coach Josh Wolff as MLS playoff hopes crumble

Austin FC fired head coach Josh Wolff after a loss to the LA Galaxy saw them officially eliminated from playoff contention, the club announced Sunday.

The Verde and Black have now failed to make the playoffs in consecutive seasons - despite the available spots being expanded during the 2023 season.

An interim manager will be named for the final fixture of the season, while a search for a new head coach will begin immediately, according to the team.

Austin FC's form has plummeted after making the Western Conference final in 2022, where they lost to LAFC. Last season, the club finished 12th in the West, and are currently in 10th with one game to play. Supporter's Group Los Verdes called for Wolff's firing in a social media post last week.

The now-former manager has a wealth of experience around U.S. soccer, and served as an assistant under Gregg Berhalter for the USMNT from 2018 until he took the Austin role a year later.

Sporting director Rodolfo Borrell explained the club's decision in a statement: “As an organization, our on-field ambitions are to be among the highest performing clubs in MLS year-over-year. To do that, progression is essential, and looking forward, we’ll now immediately begin a search for a new manager who can help us translate our ambition into consistent, high-level performance.”

The search for a new manager ahead of the 2025 season will begin. The club will have an interim coach in place for the final fixture of the season, a matchup with Colorado Rapids on Oct. 19. The Rapids could finish fifth in the West should results elsewhere go their way.