NASHVILLE, TN - Nashville SC announced Thursday that General Manager Mike Jacobs’ contract has been extended through the 2026 season. Jacobs joined Nashville in October 2017 ahead of the club’s first season in USL. His previous deal was set to end following the 2023 season.
“I can’t thank John Ingram and our ownership group enough for this opportunity to continue to build and grow what we’ve created thus far, I feel so grateful to get the chance to continue on in this journey to pursue championships along with our players and staff, and I am so humbled to continue to represent our club and its supporters,” Jacobs said in a club statement. “I am so excited for our club’s present and future.”
Under Jacobs and head coach Gary Smith, Nashville SC made the playoffs in both their seasons at the USL level, as well as making the playoffs in their first two seasons in MLS. Nashville are the first team in the modern era of MLS to win playoff matches in both of their first two seasons. The Coyotes have compiled a record of 28W-32D-18L since joining MLS in 2020, putting one of the league’s best defensive units on the field en route to opening 30,000 seat Geodis Park in 2022, the largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States and Canada.
“Our journey so far in MLS has been a success that is defined by many things. None more so than finding great players and making good deals,” said Nashville SC CEO Ian Ayre. “Mike has been at the forefront of working with his team and Gary Smith to secure an extremely talented group of players and that is one of the hardest roles in any sports team. Equally the importance of having a strong bond between Owner, CEO, General Manager and Head Coach is I believe paramount in building and running a successful club.”
“Mike’s commitment, dedication and personality, make that a very easy fit with all of us. Mike is thoroughly deserving of this extension to his contract, which will keep him with us for at least another 3 years. I am very pleased for him and his family, he is a well-liked member of our team and also a friend and I look forward to us continuing this incredible journey together.”
Perhaps the greatest achievement of Jacobs’ time in Nashville is the signing of Hany Mukhtar. The first Designated Player in Nashville history, Mukhtar was signed from Danish side Brøndby IF for just $2,850,000. In Nashville, Mukhtar has blossomed into arguably the best attacker in MLS. He led the league with 28 goal contributions in 2021, finishing second in league MVP voting, and is currently tied for first in goal contributions in 2022, staking his claim to be one of the best signings in recent memory.
