(Photo credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images)

Sporting Kansas City named Raphael Wicky as the fifth permanent head coach in franchise history on Monday.

Wicky, 48, coached the Chicago Fire from 2020-21 before managing BSC Young Boys in his native Switzerland from 2022-24. He signed a contract through the 2027-28 MLS season with an option for the 2028-29 campaign.

He becomes the club's first full-time coach since Peter Vermes, who parted ways with Sporting KC after 17 seasons on March 31. Interim coach Kerry Zavagnin finished out a difficult season that ended with the worst record (7-20-7, 28 points) in the Western Conference.

'We are thrilled to welcome Raphael as the next head coach of Sporting Kansas City,' president and general manager David Lee said. 'Rapha's experience both domestically and internationally, along with his success at the highest levels of the game, made him the standout candidate during our search.

'He is a leader and a proven winner who will bring a humble, collaborative and hard-working approach to his role and strive to build strong relationships with our players and staff. Rapha's teams are attack-minded, high-energy and possession-oriented -- all qualities that represent the style of play we want to implement here in Kansas City.'

Wicky, who also coached the United States' U-17 squad in 2019, compiled a 12-25-14 record with the Fire.

'I am very proud to be the new head coach of Sporting Kansas City,' said Wicky, who played for now-defunct MLS side Chivas USA in 2008.

'I am really excited to get started and get to know the team, the staff and the players. In my talks with David, we instantly had a good connection and felt very aligned in terms of culture and style of play.

'Sporting KC has always been a team that competed to win trophies and I feel that the club has all the ingredients to get back to where it belongs -- great ownership, amazing facilities, a talented academy and a beautiful stadium with fantastic fans.'

The hiring comes less than seven weeks before Sporting KC opens the 2026 MLS season on Feb. 21 at the San Jose Earthquakes.

--Field Level Media