Raphael Wicky Named Sporting KC Head Coach
Sporting Kansas City has officially named Raphael Wicky as the club’s head coach, marking a significant change in leadership. His appointment is pending the receipt of his P1 visa. Wicky has agreed to a two-and-a-half-year contract that extends through the 2027-28 season, with an option for the 2028-29 season.
Wicky’s Background and Coaching Experience
Wicky, age 48, steps into his role as the fifth permanent head coach in the club’s history. He will lead the Sporting KC first team and report to David Lee, the club’s President of Soccer Operations and General Manager.
In Wicky’s own words, he expressed pride and excitement about the opportunity: “I am very proud to be the new head coach of Sporting Kansas City. I feel the club has all the ingredients to get back to winning trophies, including great ownership and a talented academy.”
- Coached BSC Young Boys (2022-2024)
- Led team to 2022-23 Super League and Cup double
- Achieved a record of 51 wins, 17 draws, and 20 losses
- Average of 2.19 goals per game
Achievements with BSC Young Boys
During his brief tenure with BSC Young Boys, Wicky guided the team to extensive success. Appointed in June 2022, he led Young Boys to a Swiss Super League title with a dominant record of 21 wins, 4 draws, and 11 losses, finishing 16 points ahead of the competition. The team also won the Swiss Cup, triumphing over FC Lugano 3-2 in the final on June 4, 2023.
Wicky left Young Boys while they were at the top of the Swiss Super League and performing well in the UEFA Champions League qualification.
Previous Coaching Roles and Legacy
Prior to his time at Young Boys, Wicky coached the U.S. Under-17 National Team and had stints in Major League Soccer. He was head coach of the Chicago Fire during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
- Coached Swiss clubs including FC Thun and FC Basel
- Led Basel to a second-place finish in the Super League
- Notable performance in the 2017-18 UEFA Champions League
A Distinguished Playing Career
Wicky’s experience extends beyond coaching to a successful 16-year playing career. He earned 75 caps as a member of the Switzerland National Team, participating in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and two UEFA European Championships.
He began his career with FC Sion and later played for clubs such as Werder Bremen and Hamburger SV, amassing significant achievements, including a German Cup victory.
Sporting Kansas City looks forward to Wicky’s leadership as they aim to reclaim their competitive edge in Major League Soccer.
