SI.com · Dec 27, 2019
Chicago Fire Hire Raphael Wicky as New Manager
CHICAGO (AP) – The Chicago Fire hired former U.S. youth coach Raphael Wicky as their coach Friday, the latest move in a makeover by the struggling MLS team.
Wicky is also a former coach of the Swiss club Basel. He is leaving his job as coach of the U.S. under-17 team to join the Fire.
He succeeds Veljko Paunovic, who was fired by Chicago after an eighth-place finish in the Eastern Conference. The Fire missed the playoffs for the second straight season. Paunovic had a record of 41-58-37 record over four years.
“Chicago is a world-class sports city and this club has a bright future, both on and off the field,” Wicky said. "I can’t wait to get started.”