Photo: Marjorie Elzey

Philadelphia Union have extended the contract of longtime manager Jim Curtin, the club announced on Tuesday morning.

Curtin, a two-time winner of the MLS Coach of the Year Award, signed an extension through the 2026 season.

“Jim is one of the top coaches in the league and we’re thrilled to have come to an agreement to extend his leadership with the Union,” Union owner Jay Sugarman said in a press release. “As we build towards the 2026 World Cup here in Philadelphia, Jim’s leadership is critical to the team’s success and I look forward to watching our players and this team continue to hit new milestones under his direction.”

Curtin, 44, is currently in his tenth season as the Union’s manager, making him second only to Peter Vermes as one of the current longest-tenured coaches in MLS.

It took a few years after taking over as interim manager in mid-2014, but the Oreland native has blossomed over his time with the Union. He has led the Boys in Blue to a Supporters’ Shield in 2020, an Eastern Conference championship in 2022, Concacaf Champions League appearances in 2021 and 2023, and three appearances in the U.S. Open Cup finals. By some metrics, the 2022 Union season was one of the best in MLS history, with the mark of .76 goals conceded per game clocking in as second-best in MLS.

“His commitment and passion for winning, developing our young players, and steadfast loyalty to this club and city speak volumes to who he is as a coach and as a person,” Union sporting director Ernst Tanner added in a press release.

As you’d imagine given his long tenure, Curtin is the Union’s all-time leader in wins (127 in the regular season), playoff wins (five), and matches coached for the Union.

All that remains is winning a cup final, as Curtin’s teams are 0-4 in U.S. Open Cup and MLS Cup finals.

Next on the to-do list for club management is a similar extension for Tanner, whose arrival in late 2018 also sparked the Union’s recent ascendance. Tanner’s contract also expires at the end of this season.

The Union are back in action tomorrow night as they look to snap a two-game losing streak against Eastern Conference foe Nashville SC. Kickoff from Geodis Park is at 8:30 Eastern.