Sean McAuley to continue as Minnesota United interim boss for 2024 season

Minnesota United have confirmed that Sean McAuley will remain as interim head coach for the 2024 Major League Soccer season.

McAuley took over on an interim basis for the final two games of the 2023 regular season, a real head-scratcher from the decision-makers since they were still in the playoff hunt leading up to Decision Day, and will now remain in the role for 2024.

"I am personally grateful for Sean’s leadership and his willingness to continue in this role," said Minnesota CEO Shari Ballard in a release.

"I have full confidence that he and our current staff are best positioned to successfully lead the team at this time given their collective coaching experience and familiarity with our players and club."

The 51-year-old took over for Adrian Heath, who was the club's first-ever head coach and was in charge from 2017-2023. Heath guided the Loons to four consecutive postseason appearances from 2019-2022, but Minnesota's two wins out of 10 games following the Leagues Cup meant that something had to give.

McAuley's first game in charge was an emphatic 5-2 triumph over LA Galaxy, keeping them very much alive for MLS Cup playoffs. However, a 3-1 defeat at Sporting Kansas City on the last day of the regular season saw them miss out on the postseason and finish in 11th place in the Western Conference table with 41 points, three points away from the Wild Card spot.

It was just the third time that the Loons failed to qualify for the playoffs in their seven-year history.

Prior to joining Minnesota, McAuley served as an assistant for fellow MLS sides Orlando City and Portland Timbers. The Loons will now look ahead to the 2024 campaign with the likes of Teemu Pukki and Emanuel Reynoso spearheading the attack.

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