Nine New Faces Take Charge: MLS Clubs Shake Up Their Sidelines for 2026
The upcoming Major League Soccer campaign is fast approaching, and America's premier soccer division will showcase multiple fresh coaching appointments, with nine franchises beginning 2026 under new leadership.
The Western Conference saw five organizations recruit new head coaches, while four Eastern Conference sides pursued similar changes. Most franchises made these moves seeking enhanced performance in the coming season or to address gaps left when European clubs recruited their talented personnel.
Teams resumed preseason preparations during January's third week, giving coaches approximately four weeks to implement their tactical philosophies before the 2026 MLS campaign commences on Feb. 21.
Below, Sports Illustrated examines each fresh coaching appointment for the upcoming 2026 season.
Atlanta United
Atlanta United
Atlanta United's 2025 campaign fell short of expectations. Despite investing a record-breaking $22 million plus incentives for forward Emmanuel Latte Lath and appointing respected coach Ronny Deila, the team faltered early and finished 14th in the Eastern Conference standings.
Significant changes occurred during the offseason. CEO and sporting director Garth Lagerwey departed his position while battling cancer and confirmed he wouldn't return upon recovery. His exit followed the appointment of Gerardo "Tata" Martino as head coach for 2026, welcoming back the tactician who guided them to the 2018 MLS Cup championship.
The 63-year-old Martino not only delivered Atlanta's MLS Cup triumph that season but also achieved a franchise-best 69 regular-season points. Subsequently, the Argentine tactician led Inter Miami to the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 Supporters' Shield, setting a league-record 74 points.
The former Barcelona coach has committed through the 14-match 2027 MLS season.
Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids are importing Premier League expertise for their 2026 campaign, appointing former Tottenham Hotspur assistant Matt Wells as head coach, succeeding Chris Armas.
Following an 11th-place Western Conference finish, despite the costly signing of USMNT midfielder Paxten Aaronson, the Rapids dismissed former coach Armas in October, creating the opportunity for Wells' appointment.
The 37-year-old served on Tottenham's coaching staff for over two seasons, bringing Premier League, Champions League, and Europa League experience to Colorado. He aims to restore the club's playoff status and surpass their 41-point 2025 tally.
Among MLS's youngest head coaches, Wells will debut in his new position against Seattle Sounders on Feb. 22.
Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew experienced a turbulent offseason and might have preferred delaying Henrik Rydström's appointment as their new head coach, replacing Wilfried Nancy.
The Crew's managerial search commenced when Nancy joined Scottish Premier League side Celtic on Dec. 3, becoming among the first MLS-developed coaches to lead a European club. Regrettably for Nancy, his Celtic tenure proved catastrophic, ending after losing six of eight matches, including defeat to Rangers in the Old Firm clash.
Celtic parted with Nancy on Jan. 5, days after Columbus announced Rydström's hiring on Dec. 31. The club now hopes the Swedish coach can enhance their 54-point, seventh-place Eastern Conference finish from 2025.
Rydström brings ten years of coaching experience, most recently with Malmö FF in Sweden, where he secured consecutive league titles and the 2023-24 Swedish Cup. Renowned for his attacking philosophy, Rydström has also established himself as an eloquent speaker, promising entertaining press conferences.
"[Columbus] general manager (Issa Tall) told me: 'Winning matters, but sometimes we've won matches and felt empty inside due to poor performance.' That resonated with me; their football philosophy appealed to me. Life's too brief for terrible burgers, life's too brief for ugly football," Rydström told Swedish publication, Barometern.
"I've always admired (musician) Anders Wendin. Moneybrother. Partly friendship, but mainly because he's relentless. I adore him. Regardless of circumstances, he's driven. My wife and I attended his recent show and realized that's my coaching aspiration. I want a team resembling a f------- rock band."
Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City concluded 2025 at the Western Conference bottom and have replaced interim coach Keyy Zagavin, appointing 48-year-old Raphaël Wicky to the permanent position for 2026.
Wicky arrives from Swiss top-division club BSC Young Boys and inherits an SKC squad that managed just 28 points across 34 regular-season fixtures. The organization released 12 players shortly after, providing him with essentially a fresh start.
He becomes the inaugural coach hired under new president and general manager David Lee, who joined after departing his sporting director position with New York City FC. An ESPN report indicated Wicky was considered for the NYCFC position in 2025, when Lee remained with that organization.
A former Swiss national team player, managing Kansas City won't mark Wicky's MLS debut, as he returns to the league where he previously competed with the now-defunct Chivas USA in 2008.