Nashville SC fire manager Gary Smith just hours after 2-0 MLS win over Toronto FC

However, the news comes just hours after Nashville claimed an important 2-0 victory over Toronto FC thanks to late goals from Shaquell Moore and Teal Bunbury. However, it was only the Tennessee-based outfit's third win in 12 games so far this term, form which sees them languishing in 10th in the Eastern Conference table - 14 points behind league leaders Inter Miami.

As well as Smith's departure, assistant coach Steve Guppy has also left Nashville as part of the managerial shakeup. Rumba Munthali will take charge of the club on an interim basis while the search for a new permanent boss is completed. Nashville will hope the first coaching change of this MLS season can help the team book a spot in the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year.

Smith had been Nashville's only manager since they first started playing in MLS back in 2020, having led them for two seasons in the USL Championship. The Englishman guided the team to the 2023 Leagues Cup final, where they were defeated by a Lionel Messi-inspired Inter Miami.

Munthali's first assignment as Nashville's interim boss is a home match against Atlanta United on Saturday. After that is a trip to Montreal the following weekend and if the temporary manager can achieve six points from the six available, the hierarchy may consider him as an option for the role permanently.