Pascal Jansen is out: NYCFC part ways with head coach after dreadful season
It has barely been 24 hours since New York City FC played their final match of the season. The Pigeons won 1-0 against D.C. United, but a 10-12-12 record and missing the postseason were reasons enough to say that change was needed. As such, the club announced on Sunday morning that Pascal Jansen is no longer the head coach of the team.
Per the club, NYCFC parted ways with Jansen, which is a kind way to say that the team fired him. According to newyorkcityfc.com, the Pigeons expressed that this year was not good enough, which is why he was let go. They were as clear as day with the statement:
"Despite a strong 2025 campaign, New York City FC fell short of expectations in 2026, failing to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs for only the third time in Club history."
NYCFC fires Pascal Jansen
In addition, NYCFC Sporting Director Todd Dunivant said, "We would like to thank Pascal for his commitment and contributions to New York City FC and wish him and his family all the best. This decision follows a thorough review of the season and reflects our ambition as an organization. The search for our next Head Coach begins immediately as we prepare for the 2027 Sprint Season and build toward the opening of Etihad Park.”
There was no question that Jansen's dismissal was a possibility. However, there was the question of whether NYCFC would lean on his 2025 season and give him an opportunity to turn things around. After all, the team had a 17-12-5 regular-season record. Plus, the Boys in Blue had a strong second half of the season that led the team to the Eastern Conference Finals in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Alas, the 2026 campaign was another story. Frustration best describes this season, since NYCFC constantly dropped points and failed to maintain leads. Injuries did not help either, but the players available still provided a strong enough squad where the Queens team should have had more wins and made the postseason.
Meanwhile, it is easy to believe that the front office was considering this. The decision to fire him came quickly. After all, Dunivant did say they reviewed the season, which implies Jansen was destined to be fired, even as the players fought for one more win under his leadership.
In the end, the head coach had a mixed tenure with NYCFC. The solid 2025 campaign was undoubtedly drowned out by the dreadful 2026 season. Now, the search for a new head coach begins.
