Less than 24 hours after a 2-1 loss to the Seattle Sounders that dropped Houston Dynamo FC to the bottom of the Western Conference standings, the organization announced late Monday that Paulo Nagamura has been fired from his head coaching post. Kenny Bundy, who has been helming Dynamo 2, was named interim head coach to close out what has been, for many Dynamo fans, an utterly forgettable 2022 season.
The club also announced via press release that while goalkeeper coach Zack Thornton will remain on staff, assistant coaches Chris Martinez and Jimmy Nielsen are also part of the housecleaning.
“This is a difficult decision because Paulo is a top individual who has earned the respect of the players and staff for his tireless work ethic and commitment to the club. We wish Paulo and his staff well moving forward in their careers,” said Dynamo General Manager Pat Onstad in the release.
“Moving forward, we are excited about this opportunity for Kenny. He is a talented up-and-coming coach who worked his way up through our coaching system and he will lead the team for the remainder of the season.”
We have parted ways with Paulo Nagamura, Jimmy Nielsen, and Chris Martinez.@houstondynamo2 Head Coach Kenny Bundy will serve as the interim head coach until the end of the MLS season while the search for a new head coach is underway.
— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) September 5, 2022
Though the Dynamo notched an epic 2-1 win over LAFC on Wednesday for what will likely stand as a 2022 season highlight, it was the only win in the last eight matches they played. The Dynamo's previous win came July 18 against San Jose, as part of a dismal 2W-9L-2D stretch that serves as the epitaph to the Nagamura Era in Space City.
Bundy, 41, was elevated to the first-team head coaching post following significant history with the Dynamo organization. He boarded in 2016 and worked as a head coach for the Dynamo Academy U-19 and U-23 teams. He also launched Houston Dynamo 2 at the end of 2021 and led them to a playoff berth in their inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season, according to the Dynamo's release.
Bundy also enjoyed success coaching Brazos Valley Cavalry FC to the 2019 USL League Two Mid-South Division Title and an appearance in that season’s conference finals match.
Houston closes out the '22 season with five matches: Home matches against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday and New England Revolution a week from Wednesday, followed by road trips to LAFC and Nashville and a home match against the Galaxy on Decision Day.
The Dynamo still are three points above D.C. United in the ignoble "quest" for the Wooden Spoon, a fan-driven award bestowed on the team finishing last in the Supporters' Shield standings.
This is a developing story.