NASHVILLE — Nashville SC has fired Gary Smith, the only head coach in franchise history.
The club announced the decision Thursday, describing the move only as Smith’s “departure,” along with assistant coach Steve Guppy.
The 55-year-old Smith, who is from England, is the first Major League Soccer coach to be fired this season. Former Nashville player and current player development coach Rumba Munthali will serve as interim head coach starting with Saturday’s game against Atlanta United FC.
Nashville improved to 3-4-5 this season with a 2-0 home win over Toronto on Wednesday night, when Smith was booed during pregame introductions. Smith’s seven-season tenure included six consecutive playoff appearances in the USL Championship and MLS — the club was added to the top division of professional soccer in the United States as an expansion club in 2020 — and the Leagues Cup Final in 2023.
Smith led Nashville SC to 52 MLS wins and three postseason victories as the club reached the playoffs four times and the Eastern Conference semifinals twice.
His coaching highlights before leading Nashville included winning the 2010 MLS Cup title while with the Colorado Rapids from 2008 to 2011.