The Philadelphia Union and head coach Jim Curtin have agreed to a multi-year contract extension, the club announced Wednesday. Curtin has led the Union to first place in the Eastern Conference this season.
Curtin has been the Union's boss since 2014, making him the third-longest tenured manager in the league. He led the team to a club-record 50 points in 2018 and is on pace to eclipse that number in 2019.
“Since I have arrived at Philadelphia, I have observed first-hand Jim’s ability to lead our team, and I am pleased to continue our relationship with this prolongation of his contract,” Union sporting director Ernst Tanner said in a statement. “A top young coach in our league, I am confident he is the right person to continue toward achieving our club’s objectives, which include both winning trophies and being the MLS leader in the development of young players. Jim is a fantastic leader, thoughtful, intelligent, and open-minded. This extension is thoroughly deserved."
The Union’s all-time leader in wins (64), Curtin has guided the club to its best-ever start in 2019 with a 10-5-6 record through 21 games (36 points). That total surpasses the previous record, from 2011, when the Union had 32 points through 21 matches (8-5-8).
