MLS at 30: The 15 Best Managers in League History
We continue our MLS at 30 series by focusing on the men on the sidelines — the coaches who helped define some of the league's most memorable teams.
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While a well-built roster is the main course of a championship team, a good coach is the gravy on top — like when you find a casino bonus after winning a slot jackpot.
Among these coaches are dynasty builders, player developers, larger-than-life personalities, and true club legends. While many deserve honorable mentions, these 15 names shaped MLS in more ways than one.
Steve Nicolfor New York Red Bulls
Before he was cracking jokes on ESPN FC, Steve Nicol was the steady hand behind the New England Revolution from 2002 to 2011. Nicol witnessed the league's growing pains first hand and guided the Revolution through the dawn of MLS 2.0. Under his watch, the Revs reached the MLS Cup final four times (2002, 2005, 2006, and 2007) and made the playoffs every season over a remarkable seven-year stretch.
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Nicol also helped launch the careers of Clint Dempsey and Shalrie Joseph. Though an MLS Cup eluded him, he did lift a U.S. Open Cup and remains one of the most respected coaches in club history.
Thomas Rongen
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The Dutch-born coach was among the few early MLS managers who truly understood the American player and how to blend them with high-priced foreign stars. Thomas Rongen captured two Supporters' Shields — first with the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 1996 and then with D.C. United in 1999. He also guided United to their third MLS Cup that same year. Although his D.C. side declined sharply afterward and he never regained that form — including a brief spell at Chivas USA — Rongen's impact on MLS's formative years is undeniable.
Frank YallopAdvertisement
Canadian Frank Yallop was one of the first former MLS players to find real success as a head coach. He steered a young Landon Donovan and the San Jose Earthquakes to two MLS Cups (2001 and 2003) with a squad that included Jeff Agoos, Dwayne DeRosario, Manny Lagos, Ramiro Corrales, and Ronnie Ekelund. Returning to San Jose years later, he won the Supporters' Shield again in 2012, proving his knack for building competitive teams.
Dominic Kinnear
Photo byDominic Kinnear has done nearly everything in MLS — player, assistant, head coach — and he did it well. He guided the San Jose Earthquakes before the franchise moved to Houston and rebranded as the Dynamo, technically the same team with a new city and name. In Houston, Kinnear led the Dynamo to back-to-back MLS Cups in 2006 and 2007 and won a Supporters' Shield with San Jose in 2005. He remains a valued MLS veteran, now assisting at FC Cincinnati.
Óscar Pareja
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Óscar Pareja is renowned for doing more than chasing trophies — he builds teams with identity and trust. Famous for turning academy prospects into first-team regulars, he made FC Dallas a model for youth development while collecting the Supporters' Shield and U.S. Open Cup. His sides play bold, attacking soccer and don't shy away from taking risks. At Orlando City, Pareja brought stability to a chaotic club and made them playoff regulars, adding a U.S. Open Cup in 2022.
Giovanni Savarese
Photo byGiovanni Savarese has earned widespread respect in MLS circles for molding tough, fearless teams that thrive under postseason pressure. With the Portland Timbers, he consistently got the best out of rosters that weren't always stacked, leading them to multiple MLS Cup finals and winning the 2020 MLS is Back tournament. His teams are organized, opportunistic, and flexible enough to exploit opponents' weaknesses — a testament to his sharp tactical mind. Surprisingly, he has yet to land another MLS job since parting ways with Portland in 2023.
Greg Vanney
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Greg Vanney transformed Toronto FC from a perennial underachiever into one of MLS's greatest single-season sides. In 2017, his TFC won a historic treble thanks to a balanced, proactive approach. Vanney's teams, now including the LA Galaxy, are known for smart buildup play and defensive structure — hallmarks of his belief that success starts with a clear tactical identity. He's equally skilled at managing big stars while bringing through young talent.
Wilfried Nancy
Photo byWilfried Nancy is one of the league's brightest coaching minds, already making a strong impression. Calm, thoughtful, and tactically sharp, he helped CF Montréal punch above its weight on a small budget before guiding the Columbus Crew to an MLS Cup in 2023. His fearless, possession-based approach and smart squad management — especially replacing top players lost to Europe — show he understands the modern MLS inside and out.
Peter VermesAdvertisement
Few coaches have left a bigger imprint on one club than Peter Vermes at Sporting Kansas City. A former player who rose to the front office before taking over the sidelines, Vermes turned SKC into a model of consistency and defensive grit. He's led them to an MLS Cup and multiple Open Cups while building a recognizable culture. But as MLS spending grew and the league evolved, Vermes's teams struggled to keep up — a reminder that even the best must adapt to stay on top.
Jim CurtinJim Curtin perfectly embodies the Philadelphia Union's underdog ethos. He's guided the club from perennial also-ran to true contender with a fraction of the budget of bigger markets. Curtin's belief in youth development and smart scouting, combined with an aggressive pressing style, helped the Union lift a Supporters' Shield and gain league-wide respect for doing things their own way.
Tata MartinoAdvertisement
Gerardo 'Tata' Martino redefined what an MLS coach could be when he joined Atlanta United. Bringing global experience and a clear attacking vision, he led Atlanta to an MLS Cup in just their second season. Later with Inter Miami, he captured the Leagues Cup and a Supporters' Shield, setting a single-season points record along the way. Though not one to stay long, Martino delivered silverware and style in every stop.
Bob BradleyA Bruce Arena protégé, Bob Bradley's MLS legacy is one of bold ideas and fearless attacking soccer. He won a double with the Chicago Fire in their inaugural season, then decades later shaped a record-breaking LAFC side built on high press and free-flowing offense. Not every stint was golden — his MetroStars and Chivas USA teams fell flat, and his most recent job with Toronto FC in 2023 saw him struggle to manage big egos. Still, his contributions to MLS's tactical evolution can't be overlooked.
Brian SchmetzerAdvertisement
Brian Schmetzer might look more like a math teacher than a soccer manager, but his coaching résumé with the Seattle Sounders is no joke. A Sounders lifer, Schmetzer has guided the club to two MLS Cups and a historic CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2022. Before MLS, he led the Sounders to two USL titles, and he's worked with some of the franchise's greatest names, from Clint Dempsey and Nicolás Lodeiro to Raúl Ruidíaz and Stefan Frei.
Sigi Schmid
OttoSigi Schmid was a true pioneer, shaping teams that were disciplined yet daring. He won MLS Cups with both the LA Galaxy and Columbus Crew but perhaps made his biggest mark in Seattle, laying the groundwork for the Sounders' long-term success. Known for his ability to manage big personalities, Schmid won 11 major trophies across three clubs and remains one of MLS's most respected figures.
Bruce ArenaAdvertisement
Bruce Arena is, without question, the godfather of MLS coaches. He built a dynasty at D.C. United, winning the league's first two international titles, and later stabilized David Beckham's LA Galaxy, turning them into a powerhouse.
More recently, he's taken on the challenge of reviving the San Jose Earthquakes. Arena's trophy haul — five MLS Cups, four Supporters' Shields, four MLS Coach of the Year awards, three CONCACAF Gold Cups and the best modern-era World Cup finish with the United States men's national team — cements his status as an icon of American soccer.
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