Austin FC hires former Dallas coach Nico Estévez

AUSTIN, Texas – Nico Estévez is back in Texas.

Austin FC officially presented Nico Estévez as the club’s new head coach on Tuesday with a press conference at Q2 Stadium.

With experience in MLS, La Liga, and international coaching, the 44-year-old bilingual native of Valencia, Spain, will join Austin FC after fulfilling his commitments with the United States Men’s National Team during the upcoming November FIFA window.

“Austin is a vibrant city known for its fantastic music, food, culture, and an incredibly passionate soccer fanbase,” Estévez stated. “This passion was a major draw for me, and I’m eager to develop the team on the field while connecting personally with our supporters. I want to express my gratitude to Rodolfo and the entire Club for this opportunity.”

Estévez began his coaching journey in 2004 within the youth system of Valencia CF. He took on his first head coaching role at Huracán Valencia CF in the Spanish third tier in 2011, where he achieved a record of 41 wins, 34 draws, and 13 losses over two seasons. He was recognized with the Ramón Cobo Award as the league’s best coach for the 2012-2013 season.

In 2013, Estévez moved to Valencia B and briefly served as interim manager of Valencia’s first team, leading them to victory in the Copa del Rey and a La Liga match against Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid.

In 2014, he relocated to the United States to become the Director of Methodology for Columbus Crew SC, eventually being promoted to first team assistant coach in 2017. Estévez also served as an assistant coach for the USMNT from 2019 to 2021, and most recently worked with Mauricio Pochettino’s coaching staff.

In December 2021, Estévez was named head coach of FC Dallas, guiding the team to playoff qualification in both 2022 and 2023. In his inaugural season, he achieved a remarkable 20-point improvement over the previous year—the largest increase in the club’s history—and secured a third-place finish in the MLS Western Conference.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nico as Austin FC’s second-ever head coach,” said Sporting Director Rodolfo Borrell. “Our search was thorough, and we believe he embodies the ambition and experience we were looking for. He is well-acquainted with the culture in Texas and will be an excellent fit for our Club and community, both on and off the field.”

The Club’s preseason is set to begin on January 11, 2025, ahead of the MLS regular season kick-off in late February, marking Austin FC’s fifth season in the league.