Sporting KC’s new head coach shares his vision — and a warning for opponents
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Sporting KC hired Raphael Wicky on 2.5-year contract to lead the club through 2027-28.
- Wicky emphasizes possession soccer and capitalizing on scoring chances.
- Coach wants a team-first culture, player buy-in and on-field energy for 2026.
Sporting Kansas City fans got their first glimpse of the club’s new head coach during his introductory news conference Tuesday, Jan. 6.
That introduction came after the club announced Monday that Raphael Wicky has been hired to the head coaching position on a 2 1/2-year contract.
Wicky’s contract will run through the 2027-28 season, with an option for 2028-29. He, along with president of soccer operations and general manager David Lee and co-principal owner Michael Illig, took questions from media members Tuesday and set expectations for the 2026 season.
One of those expectations: possession-based soccer. Wicky said it’s as simple as Sporting KC having the ball more often than not, adding the players also need to capitalize on the time of possession.
It doesn’t help the team, Wicky said, if it has the ball for 65-70% of the game, but has created no scoring opportunities.
“I want my team to be uncomfortable to play against,” Wicky said.
The style of play is something the Swiss-born coach learned as a player, which he later carried over into his coaching career. During his tenure as coach with Swiss Super League club BSC Young Boys, from 2022-24, the team scored 193 goals in 88 matches.
Before the search to replace longtime coach and club legend Peter Vermes began, Lee said he had brief interactions with Wicky when he was in charge of the United States U-17 national team for the 2019 Concacaf U-17 Championship and 2019 U-17 World Cup.
It was through the hiring process that Lee decided Wicky was the one to lead Sporting KC for the future. And Lee felt his vision aligned with Wicky’s.
What is that vision?
It starts with a team-first culture, requiring buy-in from the players. Wicky said it’s important that everyone attacks together, works together and feels like they’re playing for each other.
“It’s not measurable, but I believe that if we can create and implement the culture we want, that we have better possibilities to be successful on the field,” Wicky said.
Wicky had heard good things about Sporting KC and the city of Kansas City prior to his arrival when he coached rival side Chicago Fire during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Some of his friends who live in California now were born in Kansas City, and have all said it was their favorite city to live in, he said.
He understands it’s now his job to bring the passion and energy back to Sporting’s home stadium, but he knows he can’t demand it up front. It has to be earned.
“We on the field need to be the first ones to actually put this passion, put this intensity out to the fans,” Wicky said. “That’s going to be my job, and I’m looking forward to that.”
He’ll start creating his culture within Sporting KC as the preseason begins Saturday, Jan. 10. The team will split time between Florida and the Coachella Valley Invitational in California ahead of its first match of the 2026 MLS season Saturday, Feb. 21, in San Jose, California.
“It’s our job to bring the energy to the fans,” Wicky said.
