Austin FC placed veteran executive Khaled El-Ahmad in charge of soccer operations on Tuesday.
Named chief soccer officer and sporting director, he will oversee roster construction and management, scouting and recruitment, player development and the club’s complete player pathway from the Academy through Austin FC II to the MLS level.
El-Ahmad, who most recently worked in the Minnesota United FC front office, will report directly to Austin FC CEO Andy Loughnane.
“We are thrilled to welcome Khaled and his family to Austin FC,” team chairman, majority owner and founder Anthony Precourt said in a news release. “Throughout our search, Khaled distinguished himself through his global experience, deep understanding of Major League Soccer, and the clarity of his vision for how a modern sporting organization should operate.
“He has demonstrated an ability to identify and develop talent, construct competitive rosters and build strong teams of people around a common purpose. His collaborative leadership style, disciplined and data-informed approach to decision-making, and commitment to building sustainable success strongly align with the ambitions of Austin FC. We believe Khaled is the right leader to guide the next chapter of our sporting organization.”
Before joining Minnesota United in 2023, El-Ahmad previously worked in MLS at the parent company of New York City FC and also served as the CEO and sporting director for England club Barnsley FC, among other roles.
“Joining Austin FC is an exciting opportunity, and I’m grateful to Anthony, Andy and the ownership group for the trust they have placed in me and my family,” El-Ahmad said. “Austin FC is a Club in one of the most dynamic cities in the country, with passionate supporters, significant ambition and the foundation to build something that can be successful for a long time.
“My responsibility is bigger than building a roster. It is to help build a sporting organization with a clear identity, strong people, aligned processes and a relentless commitment to improving every day. Sustainable success comes from having talented people working together, making good decisions consistently, and creating an environment where players and staff can perform at their best and continue to improve every day.”
Jim Curtin, previously announced as Austin’s next head coach, will report directly to El-Ahmad once he joins the club at the conclusion of the 2026 season.
“I’m excited to listen and learn, then work alongside Jim, our sporting staff and everyone across the Club to establish a clear way forward,” El-Ahmad said. “We want to be ambitious, we want to be brave, and we want to build an Austin FC that this city and our supporters can be proud of — and that competes consistently for trophies.”
–Field Level Media
