Major League Soccer side Sporting Kansas City have confirmed the appointment of Raphaël Wicky as their new permanent head coach, marking a significant step in their rebuild following a difficult season.
A Proven Winner Takes the Helm
The club announced on Monday that the 48-year-old Swiss manager has signed a contract that runs through the 2027-28 MLS season, with a club option to extend for the 2028-29 campaign. Wicky becomes only the fifth permanent head coach in the franchise's history.
Wicky arrives with a blend of MLS and European experience. He was most recently in charge of BSC Young Boys in Switzerland, where he achieved notable success by leading the team to a domestic double. Prior to that, he managed Chicago Fire from 2020 to 2021 and also coached the United States Under-17 national team in 2019.
Building a New Era in Kansas City
The hiring follows the departure of long-serving manager Peter Vermes, who left the club on 31 March after 17 seasons. Interim coach Kerry Zavagnin guided the team through the remainder of a challenging 2024 campaign, which concluded with the worst record in the Western Conference (7 wins, 20 losses, 7 draws).
Sporting KC's president and general manager, David Lee, expressed his confidence in the new appointment. "We are thrilled to welcome Raphaël as the next head coach of Sporting Kansas City," Lee said. "Rapha’s experience both domestically and internationally, along with his success at the highest levels of the game, made him the standout candidate." He emphasised Wicky's attack-minded, high-energy, and possession-oriented philosophy as a perfect fit for the club's desired style of play.
Wicky's Vision for Sporting KC
For his part, Wicky, who had a brief playing stint with now-defunct Chivas USA in 2008, conveyed his pride and excitement about the new role. "I am really excited to get started and get to know the team, the staff and the players," he stated. "In my talks with David, we instantly had a good connection and felt very aligned in terms of culture and style of play."
He also highlighted the club's strong foundations, citing its great ownership, facilities, academy, and fanbase as key ingredients to return to competing for trophies.
The new manager has little time to settle in, with Sporting KC set to open their 2026 MLS season on 21 February away at the San Jose Earthquakes, just under seven weeks from his appointment.
