Source: Hackworth Heir Apparent For Head Coaching Role

Peter Nowak's job security may have plenty of questions surrounding it, but his second in command doesn't have much to worry about in that regard.

The Brotherly Game has learned that the Union have planned for John Hackworth, the Philadelphia Union's assistant coach since the beginning of its existence, to take over as head coach in the event that Nowak will be let go. Despite being thought of as Nowak's go-to-guy and possibly part of any purge of Nowak if the Union choose to go in that direction, a source with knowledge of the situation said that Hackworth was understood to be the next in line based upon discussions internally by Philadelphia.

Hackworth has managed the Union's first team on multiple occasions, including Tuesday night's 3-0 win over the Rochester Rhinos in the US Open Cup third round. The former United States Men's National Team coach, at various levels, has also kept an undefeated record at PPL Park in friendlies against teams like Everton, Celtic and FC Shalke 04.

In addition to the positioning of Hackworth to eventually take over as head coach, a source informed the Brotherly Game that the naming of Nowak as Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations was to provide CEO and Managing Partner Nick Sakiewicz with some ability to distance himself from the results of moves made by Nowak from the beginning of last year and moving forward.

Sackiewicz has come under fire for this season's poor start and has begun to have fan opinion toward his time as the visible head of the soccer Front Office move downward.