New York City FC have announced the departure of head coach Nick Cushing following their defeat in the MLS Cup playoffs.

He guided his side to a sixth place finish and into the semi-finals of the Eastern Conference, where they were beaten by city rivals New York Red Bulls.

“We would like to thank Nick for his incredible dedication to the club and this city,” read a statement from sporting director David Lee.

“During his time at New York City FC, Nick has been a true professional, playing an important role in delivering the club’s first MLS Cup as an assistant coach and then leading the team as interim head coach to a Campeones Cup victory in 2022.

“After being appointed as Head Coach for the 2023 season, Nick built a collaborative, high-performance environment at the training facility that has allowed us to continue to evolve as an organization.

“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.”

Cushing, who has been with City Football Group for close to 20 years, was appointed as interim head coach initially in June 2022 before landing the job on a permanent basis.

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