Austin FC have officially appointed Khaled El-Ahmad as their new Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director, handing him full control of the club’s soccer operations.
The experienced global football executive arrives in Texas during a significant period of organisational change at the MLS club.
El-Ahmad, 45, joins Austin FC after departing Minnesota United FC, where he also held the title of Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director.
The Swedish football executive led Minnesota United to the playoffs in each of his two full seasons after taking the role at the end of 2023.
His tenure with the Loons produced back-to-back playoff appearances in 2024 and 2025, establishing him as a credible sporting mind within the MLS landscape.
However, he departs Minnesota with the club currently mired in a nine-match MLS winless streak and having brought in only two smaller-profile players during the summer transfer window.
Austin FC had been conducting an open search for a new front office leader since parting ways with Rodolfo Borrell back in May.
El-Ahmad brings substantial international experience to the role, having worked for City Football Group, which included Manchester City and New York City FC, between 2015 and 2021, serving as a scout across CONCACAF and Scandinavia.
He also served as CEO and Sporting Director at Barnsley in England’s third division from 2021 before making the move to Minnesota United.
Austin views his combined experience within MLS and the international football world as a key asset as they reshape the club from top to bottom.
El-Ahmad will collaborate closely with Dean Costalas, who joined Austin this summer as senior vice president of soccer strategy and previously worked alongside incoming head coach Jim Curtin in Philadelphia.
Jim Curtin is set to take over as Austin FC’s head coach following this current season, completing a substantial leadership overhaul at the club.
Back in Minnesota, the Loons’ head of recruitment, roster strategy and negotiations, Hank Stebbins, is expected to succeed El-Ahmad at least on an interim basis.
El-Ahmad’s influence over the Minnesota roster was considerable, with only six players at the club predating his tenure and several stalwarts having departed over the winter, including Robin Lod, Dayne St. Clair, Hassani Dotson and Joseph Rosales.
Austin FC are clearly targeting a long-term structural rebuild, and El-Ahmad’s appointment signals serious ambition to compete at the highest level of MLS in the coming seasons.
