Austin FC fires its head coach and sporting director

The latest: Assistant coach Davy Arnaud has been appointed interim head coach ahead of the club's next match against St. Louis City SC on Saturday, the team announced Monday.

State of play: With a record of three wins, six losses and five draws, Austin is in 13th place out of 15 teams in the Western Conference.

• The Verde and Black lost 2-1 on Saturday to Sporting Kansas City — last place in the conference — and 5-0 last Wednesday to San Diego FC, the worst loss in franchise history.

Flashback: Estévez took over after the 2024 season from Josh Wolff, the team's first-ever coach.

• The club spent big during the last two offseasons to bring in players with proven offensive prowess, but wins didn't come easily. Estévez finished with a 16-19-13 record.

What they're saying: "We believe this team can compete for a playoff position, and given our results thus far, a change is necessary to achieve our goals of qualifying for the playoffs this year and becoming a consistent winner in this league," Austin FC CEO and owner Anthony Precourt said in a statement.

Between the lines: The 60-day midseason pause that begins at the conclusion of the St. Louis match and gives the club some breathing room as it decides next steps.