Houston Dynamo part ways with Paulo Nagamura, promote Dynamo 2 head coach Kevin Bundy to interim head coach

The Houston Dynamo have parted ways with Paulo Nagamura and assigned Kevin Bundy as the interim head coach. Nagamura failed to make it through one season with the Dynamo currently in last place in the Western Conference.

Houston will now be on the search for a third head coach in three seasons and the second under current GM Pat Onstad who made the announcement.

“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. “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.”

With five games left, Dynamo 2 head coach Kevin Bundy will lead the parent club. Bundy led the Dynamo 2 to a playoff berth in their inaugural season in the MLS Next Pro League. The selection of Bundy is an excellent call on the part of Bundy as he is familiar with both the first team and the Dynamo 2 players. The move to Bundy might possibly mean that Houston is ready to move forward with some of the players who have shown increasing promise in the MLS Next Pro.

The move of Bundy to interim head coach for the remainder of 2022 and possibly into next season would be a plus for the club. Bundy has been with the Dynamo organization since 2016 and has excelled with developing players beginning with his tenure as the coach of the Academy's U-19 and U-23 sides. It would be a seamless transition and would allow for less turnover in a season that has seen no less than 10 new players acquired since the start of the season. It's tough to win as Nagamura has said when you are constantly interchanging and trying to acclimate not just new players but old into a new system.

Goalkeeper coach Zack Thornton will remain with the Dynamo while assistants Chris Martinez and Jimmy Nielsen have also left the organization with Nagamura.

Houston returns to action on Saturday, September 10 at PNC Stadium against Sporting Kansas City.