REPORT: Philadelphia Union and 2-time MLS Coach of the Year Jim Curtin reach contract extension through 2026 season

Per Tom Bogert and The Athletic, Philadelphia Union and two-time MLS coach of the year Jim Curtin have reached an agreement to extend the head coach’s contract through the 2026 season. This comes just one day after Curtin teased his new contract via his Instagram profile late Saturday night.

Union Extend Coach Curtin’s Contract

Since taking over as interim head coach during the 2014 season, Curtin has led Philly to their first-ever playoff win, their first Supporters Shield in 2020, two separate CCL Semi-Final appearances, and lead them to their first-ever MLS Cup appearance in club history in 2022. Through the success that Curtin and Philadelphia have found together over the last decade or so, Curtin has cemented himself and Philly as one of the League’s best, taking gradual steps up and becoming true league contenders season after season. Jim Curtin is the second longest-tenured coach currently in MLS.

your Union predictions — ATLANTA, GA Ð JUNE 20: Philadelphia head coach Jim Curtin nearly loses his glasses during the goal celebration for a Jakob Glesnes (5) goal during the MLS match between Philadelphia Union and Atlanta United FC on June 20th, 2021 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire)

Philadelphia creating the foundation for future success

Jim Curtin isn’t the only one Philadelphia has locked in long-term though, and Jim has played an integral part in getting players to buy into his system and the culture surrounding Philly for years to come. In addition to Curtin now being on board through the 2026 season, here’s a list of Philadelphia players already signed on for the future, many of them carrying options for the following season

Union players signed through 2024

Mikael Uhre
Andre Blake
Jack Elliott
Richard Odada

Union players signed through 2025

Daniel Gazdag
Jakob Glesnes
Andres Perea
Jack McGlynn
Nathan Harriel
Jose Martinez

So how should Union fans feel about this move? You should be happy. Philadelphia has made big steps as a club over through Curtin’s tenure both on and off the pitch, and that shouldn’t slow down anytime soon. Philly has its foundation moving forward, front to back. And while that doesn’t mean Europe won’t come and steal a few of those names away, at least Philadelphia fans know they’ve got Jimmy Curtin on the sidelines.