Minnesota United announced today the club has hired Sean McAuley as assistant coach heading into the 2020 season. McAuley joins Head Coach Adrian Heath, Assistant Coach Ian Fuller and Goalkeeper Coach Stuart Kerr.
“Vastly experienced. I’ve known him since the early days in England,” said MNUFC Head Coach Adrian Heath. “He did an incredible job at youth development at Sheffield Wednesday, much sought after in England. Then comes to Portland, they win the MLS Cup with him as an assistant. I know lots of people who have worked with him that say that for them, he’s the great link between the players and the coach. I tried to get him in Orlando, couldn’t do it, couldn’t get him to come with us when we originally came to Minnesota and now here we are again. Delighted he’s on board. He brings a bit of everything. I know he’s a good coach, I know he’s a real good interpersonal skills person so he’s going to be a terrific link between me and the players.”
McAuley joins MNUFC after two seasons with Orlando City SC as an assistant coach. Prior to Orlando, he spent six seasons as an assistant coach for Portland Timbers FC, where he helped guide the Timbers to the 2015 MLS Cup championship. The Englishman began his coaching career in 2006 for the academy at English side Sheffield Wednesday F.C. for seven years. Wednesday’s academy developed several players that went on to sign for the first team under his guidance.
Before becoming a coach, McAuley enjoyed a 15-year professional playing career. A Manchester United youth product, McAuley made his professional debut for St. Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership. McAuley played 16 games for the Timbers in 2002 while the club was in the lower division before retiring in 2005.
McAuley fills a coaching position left open as former assistant coach Mark Watson transitioned to Technical Director for MNUFC in late 2019.
Minnesota United Coaching Staff
Adrian Heath, Head Coach
Minnesota United announced in November 2016 that Heath would become the club’s first MLS coach. Heath has over 20 years of managerial experience in the U.S. and England and enjoyed an 18-year professional playing career in Europe.
Sean McAuley, Assistant Coach
McAuley joins MNUFC after two seasons with Orlando City SC as an assistant coach and six with Portland Timbers, where he helped guide the Timbers to the 2015 MLS Cup championship. The Englishman began his coaching career in 2006 at for the academy at English side Sheffield Wednesday F.C. for seven years. Wednesday’s academy developed several players that went on to sign for the first team under his guidance. Before becoming a coach, McAuley enjoyed a 15-year professional playing career. A Manchester United youth product, McAuley made his professional debut for St. Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership. McAuley played 16 games for the Timbers in 2002 while the club was in the lower division before retiring in 2005.
Ian Fuller, Assistant Coach
Fuller is heading into his fifth season as an assistant coach for Minnesota United. In 2010, his first year as a player-assistant coach, he helped lead the Charleston Battery to become regular season and playoff champions in USL-2. Fuller joined Orlando City of USL PRO the following year, winning two championships and two Commissioner’s Cups in three years. He transitioned to being a full-time coach in 2014 and remained with the club during its first MLS season in 2015. Fuller first joined MNUFC’s coaching staff in 2016 as an assistant and was reunited with Heath for the 2017 MLS season.
Stuart Kerr, Goalkeeper Coach
Kerr joins MNUFC after spending two seasons with Western Conference side Vancouver Whitecaps and four seasons of additional MLS coaching experience. The native of Bellshill, Scotland, began his coaching career in his home country, working with Airdrie United during the 2008-09 Scottish First Division season, then moved to Motherwell FC in the Scottish Premier League from 2009 to 2011. During his coaching career, Kerr has worked with talented goalkeepers such as England's John Ruddy, Ireland's Darren Randolph, former TFC and current Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei, and current Orlando City SC goalkeeper Joe Bendik. Additionally, Kerr helped prepare former TFC and Brazilian national team goalkeeper Julio Cesar for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. As a player, Kerr began playing professionally at 18-years-old with Scottish Premier League giants Celtic FC, later going on to play with English clubs Swindon Town, Brighton & Hove Albion and Wigan Athletic.
Tickets for the 2020 season at Allianz Field will go on-sale in early 2020, with special presales for season ticket members, members of The Preserve and subscribers to the MNUFC newsletter before the general public. Visit mnufc.com/preserve for more info on The Preserve and mnufc.com/newsletter for more info on subscribing to the newsletter.
