Sporting KC hire Raphaël Wicky as head coach on two-year contract

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NeonBloom

Sporting Kansas City have appointed Raphaël Wicky as their new head coach, signing a two-year contract through the 2027-28 MLS season with an option for 2028-29. The 48-year-old Swiss coach brings significant experience to the role, having previously managed BSC Young Boys in his native Switzerland and the Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer.

Wicky's appointment marks a change of pace for the club after Peter Vermes parted ways as head coach following a 17-season tenure. Interim coach Kerry Zavagnin oversaw the final stretch of the previous season, which ended with a dismal 7-20-7 record and just 28 points in the Western Conference.

According to president and general manager David Lee, Wicky was the "standout candidate" during the club's search for a new head coach. Lee praised Wicky's experience, leadership qualities, and tactical acumen, stating that he will bring an "attack-minded, high-energy" style of play to Kansas City.

Wicky himself expressed his pride and excitement at taking on the role, citing a shared vision with owner David Lee regarding the club's culture and style of play. He also highlighted the strengths of Sporting KC, including its talented academy, impressive facilities, and passionate fanbase.

The new head coach will be tasked with revitalizing the team ahead of the 2026 MLS season, which gets underway on February 21 at San Jose Earthquakes.
 
aww, that's cool news 😊 sporting kc got a new coach 👏 raphael wicky seems like a great fit for them! i'm sure they're gonna do well with his attack-minded style of play 🤩 and i love that he's all about the academy and fans - it's great to see a team prioritizing those things 💚 david lee sounds like an awesome president too 👍
 
🏆💪 Coach Wicky is lowkey the GOAT 🤣
[Image of a cartoon coach riding a unicorn into victory]

OMG did you see that guy's resume? 17 seasons of experience and he's still got it 🔥
[GIF of a person trying to keep up with an elderly person running]

I mean, who else can say they've won the league in Switzerland but still get the job in MLS 🤷‍♂️
[Image of a Swiss flag with a soccer ball inside]

Revitalizing Sporting KC is gonna be a wild ride 🎠
[GIF of a rollercoaster crashing into a soccer stadium]
 
man i feel like sporting kc is trying to shake off this identity crisis they been stuck in a rut for years now and raphaël wicky coming in as head coach is like a breath of fresh air 🌸 he's got some big shoes to fill but if anyone can bring that attack-minded high-energy style of play to the pitch it's him

i mean think about it, a team thats been stuck in neutral for years needs someone who's gonna shake things up and bring a new perspective to the table wicky's experience with bsc young boys and chicago fire is like a crash course in being adaptable and responsive to the game

and i love that he's got a shared vision with owner david lee about the club's culture and style of play it's like they're speaking the same language now and that's what's gonna make all the difference
 
🤔 So I'm reading about Raphaël Wicky's appointment as Sporting Kansas City's new head coach 🏟️ and I gotta say, I think it's a solid move 💯. They lost Peter Vermes after 17 seasons, so they needed someone with experience to turn things around 🔄. Wicky's got that in spades, having managed some big clubs back in Switzerland 🇨🇭. His attack-minded style of play should bring some excitement to the pitch ⚽️. Plus, he seems like a good fit with the club's culture and vision 🤝. Now let's see if he can get the team firing on all cylinders ahead of that 2026 season 💥! 👍
 
I'm not surprised about this move, gotta say 🤔. I mean, Sporting KC's been stuck in neutral for a while now. Vermes was like a coach who played it safe, you know? Always making the same plays, never taking risks. It's time for someone with some fresh perspective to come in and shake things up. Wicky's got the experience, no doubt about that. He's proven himself at top levels before. But can he adapt to MLS? That's the question. I think the ownership is trying to make a statement here, too. They're showing that they're willing to invest in a new coach and try something different. It's like they're saying, "Hey, we know we've had some problems in the past, but we're committed to making this team great again." Fingers crossed it works out!
 
I'm not sure if they made the right call, but Raphaël Wicky does seem like a solid choice to shake things up in Kansas City. I mean, 48 and still taking on a big role? That's impressive! He's got some serious credentials from his time at Young Boys and the Chicago Fire, so you've gotta respect that. But let's be real, Sporting KC has been struggling for a while now... 7-20-7 is not exactly the most inspiring record to build on. Still, with a new head coach comes a chance to reboot and bring some fresh energy to the team. I'm curious to see how Wicky's attack-minded style of play will mesh with the squad - it could be just what they need to turn things around. And with that talented academy and passionate fanbase, there's definitely potential for this season to be a game-changer. 💪🏽
 
just heard about raphaël wicky as sporting kc's new gaffer 🤔. gotta say, i'm kinda excited to see what he brings to the table. a 2-year deal is decent, might give him enough time to settle in and make some real changes around there. that attack-minded style of play could be just what kansas city needs. and with that talented academy and passionate fanbase, they've got a good foundation to build on 👍
 
OMG, I'm so hyped about Raphaël Wicky being the new boss at Sporting KC!!! 🤩 I mean, 48 years old is like, ancient in coach years lol 😂 but seriously, he's got loads of experience and a fresh perspective to bring to the table. I loved his vision for an "attack-minded" style of play, that sounds so exciting! And can we talk about how talented their academy must be with all those top players coming out of it? 🤯 I'm already feeling the energy around the team, especially with Wicky on board and a new season just around the corner. February 21 can't come soon enough!!! ⏰ Let's see if he can whip that team into shape and bring some major wins to Kansas City! 😃
 
oh man I'm so hyped for sporting kc !! raphaël wicky is like the perfect dude to turn things around - he's got that swiss precision and chicago fire experience under his belt 🤩 can't wait to see what kinda fireworks he'll bring to city ! 💥 hope the academy will get more minutes and the fans will go wild again 🔥 gotta feel for kerry zavagnin though, taking over an interim gig is tough as nails 👊 but wicky's got this , he's gonna make kc proud 🇨🇭💪
 
😊 so they're switching it up after 17 years of Peter Vermes... not sure if that's a good thing or bad lol 🤔 i mean, Kerry Zavagnin did do a decent job as interim coach but 7-20-7 ain't exactly bragging rights 😳. Raphaël Wicky seems like a solid choice tho, all that experience in Switzerland and the States... might just be the kickstart Sporting KC needs 🚀💨 hope they can get some consistency going this season! 👏
 
omg 48yr old Raphaël Wicky is taking over as Sporting KC head coach! 🤯 did u guys know he's got 17 yrs of exp from BSC Young Boys & Chicago Fire? 📊 that's like, a lot of experience! 😅 i think he's gonna bring some fresh energy to the team, esp with his attack-minded style. 🎯

according to president david lee, wicky was the top pick for head coach role 💼 and i gotta agree, dude looks like a total pro! 👍

Sporting KC's academy is super talented btw 🎉 & their facilities are straight fire 🔥 what's missing now is that win-loss record lol 😂 just kidding, kinda. seriously tho, wicky says he's hyped about the team's culture & style of play 💖 so fingers crossed for a bright future! 🌞
 
I'm not sure how excited I am about this Raphaël Wicky guy taking over as head coach for Sporting Kansas City 🤔. I mean, his resume looks good and all, but has he ever coached a team in the MLS? I don't think so. He's got some experience in Switzerland and the US, but it's not like he's been running the league down there or anything.

Plus, 17 seasons under Peter Vermes was definitely something. I'm not sure how much of a change Wicky can really bring to the table at this point. And what about all those points they lost last season? Are we just gonna forget about that and expect them to magically become better overnight? 🙄

I'm curious to see how he'll fit in with the team, but I gotta say, my expectations are pretty low 💔.
 
I'm loving this move by Sporting Kansas City! Wicky's appointment is a masterstroke, considering his extensive experience in managing top-tier teams. The fact that he's bringing an "attack-minded, high-energy" style of play will surely energize the fanbase and inject some much-needed life into the team.

The emphasis on revitalizing the squad ahead of the 2026 season is also music to my ears. With a talented academy, impressive facilities, and a passionate fanbase, Sporting KC has all the ingredients for success. I'm curious to see how Wicky will navigate the transition and build on the existing strengths of the team.

It's also refreshing to see president David Lee emphasizing the importance of culture and style of play in the selection process. This approach suggests that the club is committed to building a cohesive unit, rather than just relying on individual talent. With Wicky at the helm, I'm confident that Sporting KC will start to bounce back from last season's struggles and become a force to be reckoned with in MLS 💪
 
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