Mike Jacobs is first hire for CEO Ian Ayre on MLS technical staff
NASHVILLE (October 30, 2018) – Nashville’s Major League Soccer (MLS) team announced the hiring of Mike Jacobs as General Manager for Soccer Operations on Tuesday morning.
Jacobs will maintain his current position as Technical Director with Nashville SC of the United Soccer League (USL) and transition into his new MLS role during the 2019 season.
“I am excited to announce Mike’s appointment as General Manager in the early stages of our club’s development,” said Nashville MLS CEO Ian Ayre. “Mike has significant experience in the U.S. Soccer industry both at the collegiate and professional level, and his varied expertise across the game is a key skill set as we embark on our Major League Soccer journey. In my experience, building successful teams is all about matching the best talent to the right opportunity. Mike’s knowledge of the U.S. soccer landscape and his creative approach to building a roster are crucial factors as we begin assembling a team and the associated infrastructure needed to create a successful soccer club.”
Nashville MLS lead owner John Ingram commented, “Having had the opportunity to see Mike’s work with our USL franchise in 2018, where he played a key part in assembling our successful roster for the season, I am delighted to see him transition into this prominent role with MLS.”
Prior to arriving in Nashville, Jacobs was the Assistant Technical Director for Sporting Kansas City of MLS from 2015-17. He helped oversee the club’s U.S. Open Cup Championships in 2015 and 2017, in addition to Sporting KC’s CONCACAF Champions League appearance in 2016. Jacobs also served as President of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), the world’s largest soccer coaches organization, in 2016. His collegiate soccer background includes roles as Head Coach for the University of Evansville Men’s team and Assistant Coach for Duke University.
“With a career in sport that has developed over many years and in a variety of soccer environments, I am grateful and excited to be given the opportunity to hold this position for Nashville as we head to Major League Soccer,” said Jacobs. “Nashville and its soccer aspirations are both headed in an upward trajectory, and I am proud for myself, and my family, to be a part of this incredible journey.”
About Nashville MLS
Nashville MLS is Nashville’s Major League Soccer (MLS) Club. MLS awarded its 24th team to Nashville in December 2017. Learn more about Nashville MLS at www.mls2nashville.com.