Nick Cushing's time with NYCFC will be remembered as an unsuccessful tenure | OneFootball

A week has gone by since Nick Cushing was sacked by New York City FC. The firing was a long time coming since many felt the head coach should have been gone after the 2023 season. His struggles and inability to fix his issues were on full display over the last two and a half years, and yet the club stood by him.

One of the main arguments was the idea that NYCFC was in a rebuilding phase. The process was supposed to be a longer period than fans were used to and they had to get the proper signings. However, many believed the Pigeons had players who could have done better in 2023 and 2024. The team easily had a chance with the available roster to finish higher in the Eastern Conference in the last two seasons.

Looking back at why Nick Cushing was unsuccessful with NYCFC

Instead, NYCFC played below their capable level. There were too many streaky periods of poor play and some of the younger players Cushing was supposed to develop fell short. It was thought Julián Fernández, Jovan Mijatović, and Agustín Ojeda would play more in 2024. The major youth signings failed to live up to their potential this season, failed to receive the proper minutes, or both.

Of course, one cannot forget the common issues complained about the head coach all year. Cushing constantly failed to make tactical adjustments when NYCFC was losing. His substitutions were often questioned, for there were too many times they did not make sense or failed to make a difference in games.

More importantly, there were concerns that the head coach pushed players to leave, like Maxime Chanot in 2023. The NYCFC legend had hinted on social media about his issues with Cushing and rumors swirled as well. Some wondered why so many veterans left after the 2022 season, for some should have returned. That started the questions about the Englishman. Then, it appeared Cushing and Talles Magno had a tarnished relationship, for the Brazilian was kept off the pitch and eventually left on loan this summer.

All of the issues on and off the pitch culminated in why so many supporters did not like Cushing as the head coach. That is not to say he is not a bad person. Many in the media and fans have found him to be a wonderful person. That sadly does not lead to wins and does not help with the problems with the team.

When all is said and done, finishing in 11th place in the Eastern Conference in 2023 and sixth in 2024 is not good enough. The team could have finished higher in both seasons. Moreover, the way they exited the playoffs this season highlighted the head coach's issues in the one match. Cushing had to go.

Although, it would be wrong to not mention the success Cushing had. He was part of the coaching staff that led to the 2021 MLS Cup win. While the team began to struggle after he took over for Ronny Deila, he still led them to the 2022 Campeones Cup win and the Conference Finals in the playoffs.

No matter what, it was time to say goodbye to Cushing. Unfortunately, the bad will always outweigh the good when looking back at his NYCFC tenure.