Minnesota United interim head coach Sean McAuley departs club

Minnesota United announced interim head coach Sean McAuley has departed the club "to pursue other opportunities."

Just a week before preseason training opens, the club have named Cameron Knowles, the head coach of United's second team MNUFC2, as the team's interim head coach.

McAuley inherited the interim tag after the club parted ways with longtime head coach Adrian Heath in October. With two games left in the season, McAuley lead the club to a 5-2 win over the LA Galaxy before losing 3-1 at Sporting KC on the final day of the season.

The club announced in December that McAuley would retain the title heading into the 2024 season as it continued its search for a new full-time head coach.

Knowles previously led MNUFC2 from 2022-2023, where he had a 19-20-13 record. Prior to taking over MNUFC2, Knowles was Minnesota United's video analyst after spending nine season as a coach for the Portland Timbers.

The Loons are set to open the 2024 regular season February 24 at Austin FC.