Nashville SC fires Gary Smith, only coach in team history

Gary Smith, the sole head coach in Nashville SC’s history, was fired.

Together with Smith’s “departure,” the club announced the decision on Thursday, citing Steve Guppy as Smith’s assistant coach. This season, he is the first MLS coach to lose their job.

Former Nashville player and current player development coach Rumba Munthali will serve as interim head coach starting with Saturday’s game against Atlanta United.

Gary Smith fired as Nashville SC coach

Nashville improved to 3-4-5 this season with Wednesday night’s 2-0 win over Toronto FC, when Smith was booed during pre-game introductions.

Smith’s seven-season tenure included six consecutive playoff appearances in the USL Championship and Major League Soccer, and the Leagues Cup final in 2023.

Nashville SC fires coach Gary Smith after 3-4-5 start in seventh season

Smith led Nashville SC to 52 MLS wins and three playoff victories. The club reached the playoffs four times and the Eastern Conference semifinals twice.

He won MLS Cup in 2020 with the Colorado Rapids and later coached the Atlantic Silverbacks in the NASL.