NYCFC head coach Ronny Deila departs to join Standard Liège

The Norwegian led the club to its first ever trophy by winning MLS Cup in 2021

New York City FC has announced that head coach Ronny Deila has left the club to take over Belgian side Standard Liège.

Assistant coach Nick Cushing has been named interim head coach.

Deila led NYCFC to a MLS Cup title last season but departs midway through the club’s title defense.

“This was certainly not an easy decision for me and my family. However, I feel this is the right time to take on this new challenge and return to Europe,” Deila said in a release.

Deila took over NYCFC prior to the 2020 season and helped the club become one of the league’s best during his time in charge, posting a 46-29-15 record in all competitions and defeating Portland in MLS Cup last year.