CHICAGO, IL—Chicago Fire FC has appointed US Under-17 National Team coach Raphael Wicky to be their ninth head coach in club history. Wicky has worked with newly appointed-Sporting Director Georg Heitz before at FC Basel in Switzerland.
At FC Basel, he led the U-18, U-19 and U-21 sides to success before taking the helm of the first team in 2017. Wicky guided the senior squad at Basel to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, the best Champions League result for a Swiss club in the competition. In that competition, Basel defeated some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Manchester City, Manchester United, and Benfica.
Wicky led USA U-17s to the Under-17 World Cup in 2019, though it would end in first round elimination in a group with Senegal, Japan, and Netherlands.
As a player, Wicky earned 75 caps with the Swiss National Team, highlighted by appearances at the 2006 FIFA World Cup as well as the 1996 and 2004 UEFA European Championships. Wicky spent 11 of his 17 years as a professional with Bundesliga clubs Werder Bremen and Hamburg SV and finished his career with former MLS side Chivas USA.
“I am honored and proud to be named the head coach of Chicago Fire FC,” said Wicky. “This is a position that comes with a lot of responsibility and I can promise the fans and everyone at the Club that I will work hard and give my all. During conversations with Joe Mansueto and Georg Heitz, I felt that we all shared a similar vision for the Club and how to move it forward. That was important to me. Chicago is a world-class sports city and this Club has a bright future, both on and off the field. I can’t wait to get started.”
“I know Raphael very well from our time together at FC Basel in Switzerland,” said Heitz. “He is a man of high character who fits the philosophy and vision of this Club. He has a fresh, modern approach to football. Raphael has a great appreciation and respect for the sport and because of his time on the pitch, including representing his country at a World Cup, he is able to communicate extremely well with players. Raphael, who is familiar with Chicago, has always wanted to coach in MLS. Since he arrived in the U.S. and played here, he has become a student, learning about and studying MLS and what it takes to be successful in this League. We’re thrilled that he will be our new head coach.”
THOUGHTS: Indeed, Wicky and Heitz will not have a lot of time to upgrade a squad that currently has just 17 players on it. Both do have experience in building a winner at the club level with FC Basel. Wicky also has some MLS experience which will help a little.
The biggest question for both is can they at least get the Fire’s return to Soldier Field off on the right foot and can they help put behind a lost decade?
