Minnesota United Chief Soccer Officer Khaled El-Ahmad is set to become the new Sporting Director for Austin FC, multiple sources told the Pioneer Press on Thursday.
A fellow club in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference, Austin FC has had an open search for a new Sporting Director since parting ways with Rodolfo Borrell in May.
El-Ahmad’s tenure with the Loons spanned two-plus years and produced playoff appearances in 2024 and 2025, but he leaves with MNUFC currently mired in a nine-match MLS winless streak and has brought in only two players via the summer transfer window.
With the window set to close Sept. 2, Minnesota has added midfielder Aziel Jackson on loan and is finalizing a deal for striker Maurice Malone. The Loons have been in the market for a central attacking midfielder, and its unclear how El-Ahmad’s departure will affect that pursuit.
The Loons’ No. 2 in the sporting department is Hank Stebbins, the club’s head of recruitment, roster strategy and negotiations. He would be a candidate to succeed El-Ahmad, at least on an interim basis.
El-Ahmad officially joined MNUFC from Barnsley in late 2023 and took over the Loons’ front office in early 2024. He hired Eric Ramsay and the team advanced in two MLS Cup Playoffs in 2024-25. When Ramsay left, he hired Cameron Knowles as head coach.
Under El-Ahmad and Knowles, Minnesota (6-7-7, 25 points) is in 11th place, two spots out of the playoff field.
El-Ahmad worked for City Football Group, which included Manchester City and New York City FC, from 2015-21, serving as scout in CONCACAF and Scandinavia. He was CEO and Sporting Director at Barnsley in England’s third division from 2021 until joining MNUFC.
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