Minnesota United FC announced Thursday that it has parted ways with Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Khaled El‑Ahmad. The club named Hank Stebbins, currently the head of recruitment, roster strategy and negotiation, as interim Sporting Director.
Internal promotion, continuity in roster work
Stebbins, who has been with the club since 2023, will step into the interim role while continuing to work with the first-team coaching staff and club leadership. The club said he has been central to defining the organization’s sporting strategy and roster construction and that he oversees the Scouting and Player Recruitment department.
The announcement emphasized Stebbins’ continued oversight of the club’s data analytics and scouting approaches across both the First and Second Teams. It also highlighted his role as the team’s lead negotiator and primary liaison with player agents and intermediaries on transfers and contracts.
What the interim role covers
According to the club, Stebbins will collaborate closely with Head Coach Cameron Knowles, the technical staff and the broader leadership group as the organization focuses on preparations for the 2026 Major League Soccer season.
- Scouting and recruitment: overseeing identification and evaluation of players for both squads.
- Roster strategy: shaping first-team roster construction and long-term squad planning.
- Data and analytics: guiding analytic tools and scouting methodologies across the club.
- Negotiations: acting as the lead negotiator with agents on transfers and contracts.
Club statement and next steps
The club thanked Khaled El‑Ahmad for his contributions and extended best wishes for his next chapter with Austin FC. The statement did not specify a timeline for the interim appointment or outline a search process for a permanent Sporting Director.
| Position | Person | Primary responsibilities (as described by club) |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Soccer Officer & Sporting Director | Khaled El‑Ahmad (departed) | Previously held club’s top soccer operations role |
| Interim Sporting Director | Hank Stebbins | Recruitment, roster strategy, scouting, data analytics, negotiations |
Implications for the roster and upcoming season
Stebbins’ portfolio already ties directly into player acquisition and contract work, areas that are central to shaping a competitive roster. The club framed his appointment as part of continuity in those functions, with explicit mention of his oversight across both the First and Second Teams.
With the organization naming a senior staff member who already runs recruitment and negotiations, Minnesota United is signaling an emphasis on maintaining momentum in scouting and roster planning as it approaches the 2026 season.
Background on internal roles
The club described Stebbins as currently leading first-team roster strategy while also directing scouting and data strategies. He serves as the primary point of contact with agents and intermediaries regarding player transfers and contract negotiations — responsibilities that typically fall within a Sporting Director’s remit.
How long Stebbins will serve in the interim capacity, or whether the club intends to pursue an external candidate for the permanent role, was not disclosed in the announcement.
Fans and observers will likely watch upcoming roster moves and transfer windows closely to assess whether the internal shift produces immediate changes in recruitment patterns or contract activity.
Key takeaways:
- Minnesota United has parted ways with Khaled El‑Ahmad and named Hank Stebbins interim Sporting Director.
- Stebbins already oversees scouting, recruitment, data analytics and negotiation functions and will work with Head Coach Cameron Knowles and club leadership ahead of the 2026 MLS season.
- The club thanked El‑Ahmad and noted his next affiliation with Austin FC; the timeline for a permanent Sporting Director was not provided.
