Goodbye, Nick Cushing: The head coach is finally out at NYCFC

New York area fans tend to have high expectations for their teams. Playoffs are expected every year and teams should compete for a championship. Immediate success for new coaches and managers is a must and patience for bad players is thinner compared to other teams around the country. All of this is true for New York City FC, which is why the last two seasons have not been good enough.

Supporters have been impatient and rightfully so. More importantly, numerous fans called for the sacking of Nick Cushing, and many wanted him gone by the end of 2023. Truthfully, he should not have returned in 2024. While this season was a little better, finishing in sixth place and being ousted from the playoffs by the New York Red Bulls was not good enough.

Therefore, the same supporters who called for the head coach's firing in 2023 did so again after Saturday's loss. It was not expected that NYCFC would part ways with the Englishman, for the Front Office has stressed the club's support over the last two seasons.

Nick Cushing is thankfully out at NYCFC

However, NYCFC shockingly announced on Tuesday that Cushing will no longer be the head coach of NYCFC. The team "parted company" with the long-term City Football Group employee, implying the decision was theirs. It was a welcoming surprise since it was assumed that the improvement in 2024 was good enough to keep him for 2025. Instead, Sporting Director David Lee expressed the need for someone new.

"Whilst we are incredibly appreciative for all he has done for the Club, at this current time, we believe it’s best to move the team in a new direction as we plan for the 2025 season and beyond," Lee told newyorkcityfc.com. In other words, perhaps the club finally sees what the fans see: Cushing is not the answer.

Some of the biggest criticisms of the head coach happened on the pitch. He struggled to make tactical adjustments when the Pigeons were losing. In addition, his substitution choices were often questionable. Both items were seen heavily during the Hudson River Derby playoff loss.

There were also questions about whether Cushing was the right man to lead a young team and develop the young players. Sure, he had some success, but many attackers have fallen short of their expectations. Many of the young forwards signed over the last year and a half have struggled and played less frequently than expected.

Another big aspect as to why fans did not want Cushing was due to the rumors. It was believed some players left NYCFC over the last few years because of the head coach. The biggest name was Maxime Chanot, who everyone thought would retire with the team. Rather, he made his way to France before returning to Major League Soccer with Los Angeles FC.

Nevertheless, Cushing did seem like a good person and there were still many on the roster who liked him. Still, nice coaches do not win games. This announcement was a year late, but at least the Englishman will not be back in 2025.

It did not work out with NYCFC, but hopefully, the coach will find success in his next adventure.