Sporting KC, coach Peter Vermes mutually part ways

Field Level Media|published: Mon 31st March, 11:12 2025

Feb 14, 2025; Kansas City, Kansas, USA; Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes speaks to media during the Sporting Kansas City Media Day at Children's Mercy Park. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Sporting Kansas City and longtime coach Peter Vermes have mutually parted ways, the team announced Monday.

Vermes, 58, was the longest-tenured skipper in MLS, having originally taken over as interim coach in 2009.

Kerry Zavagnin was named the interim coach for Sporting KC, which is winless (0-5-1) through six matches to start the 2025 season.

"It would be hard to list all of the people I want to thank after 20 seasons in managerial positions at Sporting Kansas City," Vermes said in a statement.

"I am thankful to everyone, especially ownership for giving me the opportunity of being a steward of this club for the past two decades. I wish the club nothing but the best in the future."

Vermes guided Sporting KC to an MLS Cup championship in 2013 and U.S. Open Cup titles in 2012, 2015 and 2017. His teams made the playoffs 11 times, including eight straight from 2011-18. He was named the MLS Sporting Executive of the Year in 2019.

Vermes ranks third all-time among MLS coaches with 203 wins in the regular season.

He played for the franchise from 2000-02 and is the only person to win the MLS Cup as a player and a coach with the same team.

Vermes became the club's technical director in 2006.

--Field Level Media

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