Henrik Rydström Appointed Ninth Head Coach of Columbus Crew

The Columbus Crew has officially named Henrik Rydström as the ninth head coach in the club’s history. Rydström, who recently led Malmö FF to victory in Sweden’s Allsvenskan, brings a wealth of coaching experience to the Black & Gold.

Coaching Background and Achievements

With a decade of coaching behind him, Rydström spent seven years leading various Swedish teams after a 24-year professional playing career. His most notable achievement came in 2023 when he guided Malmö FF to an Allsvenskan championship with an impressive 20-6-4 record.

• 2023 Achievements: Led Malmö to Allsvenskan championship.
• 2024: Secured back-to-back league titles and a Swedish Cup victory.
• Coaching Record: 39 wins, 9 draws, and 12 losses in Allsvenskan over two seasons.
• Performance: Averaged over two points per match in both seasons.

Supporting Staff and Vision for the Club

Joining Rydström at the Crew are assistant coach Theodor Olsson and First Team analyst Mak Pakhei. Phil Boerger will continue in his role as goalkeeper coach, while Marc O’Neill remains head of video and data analysis.

General Manager Issa Tall expressed confidence in Rydström’s leadership abilities and his alignment with the club’s vision for advancing their dynamic style of play. The Haslam, Johnson, and Edwards families reiterated their enthusiasm for Rydström’s appointment, highlighting his track record of producing strong results and engaging supporters.

Rydström’s Excitement for the New Role

Upon his appointment, Rydström expressed gratitude for the opportunity, emphasizing the special feeling he experienced during meetings with Crew leadership. His focus on the team’s attacking style and strong work ethic mirrors the culture the Crew have cultivated among their passionate fans.

Career Path

Rydström began his coaching journey as an assistant at Kalmar FF in 2016. He briefly served as acting head coach before taking co-head coach duties at IK Sirius in 2018. After achieving a secure position in the top flight, he returned to Kalmar in 2021, leading them to notable league standings and a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.

Club’s 2026 Season Preparations

As Columbus prepares for the 2026 campaign, Season Ticket Memberships are available, offering fans unique benefits. These include guaranteed access to home matches, a complimentary Apple TV subscription, and exclusive member events. Fans can learn more about Season Ticket Memberships through the Crew’s official website.

Looking ahead, the Crew will kick off their 31st season with road matches against Portland and Sporting Kansas City, followed by their home opener against Chicago Fire FC on March 7, 2026.