Former NYCFC Head Coach Nick Cushing is employed again | OneFootball

Former New York City FC Head Coach Nick Cushing did not have to wait long to become employed again. After taking over as the caretaker manager for Manchester City Women's Football Club, the former gaffer was not retained to have a second go as the permanent manager for his old side. As such, he was available to go elsewhere, and his time lacking employment did not last long.

Cushing is actually returning stateside. He will become the first head coach of the new NWSL team, Denver Summit FC. Therefore, he will have the challenge of building a team that can compete and win. Of course, leading an expansion side is never easy, especially in the NWSL. Although, with his familiarity with Major League Soccer, he might be inspired by what he sees with San Diego FC. The first-year team sits in first place in the Western Conference.

Former NYCFC Head Coach Nick Cushing joins the NWSL

While Cushing's time with NYCFC was not successful, fans know he can coach well on the women's side. His time as the interim manager with Manchester did not go as well as he would have hoped, but he was successful with the team when he led the WSL side from 2013 through 2020. The side won over 70% of their games, won the WSL in 2016, and won three Women's FA Cups.

In addition, Cushing has some familiarity with the NWSL after spending 2020 through 2024 with NYCFC, and even before then. Admittedly, he was probably busy with the Pigeons, but at least he is not entering the league blindly.

Plus, it is possible Denver will give the Englishman time, which he deserves compared to his time in the Bronx. He is building a team from scratch. Whether he will have the ability to build a team as he did at Manchester is yet to be seen.

However, Denver fans must be aware of one of the biggest complaints that NYCFC fans had: transparency. Cushing was not always truthful, especially during the tough times. He was sometimes all talk and no show as well, angering some via his press conferences. Rather than discussing where the team went wrong, he would go on the defensive and argue that NYCFC was almost there.

It was difficult to watch the Pigeons under Cushing. But again, his failure was in MLS. He did well in the WSL, so hopefully he can rebuild his coaching resume by having success in the NWSL.