‘It was brutal’: Sporting KC ownership discusses moving on from franchise legend Peter Vermes

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - Monday was a day Sporting Kansas City co-principal owner Mike Illig never thought would come. He had to call Peter Vermes into the office and tell him Sporting KC was moving on from the Hall of Fame head coach.

“On a personal level, it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” Illig told reporters on Tuesday. “It was horrible. It’s 20 years of friendship, of professional, of the highs and lows, and certainly never a conversation I thought I would have to have.”

While the conversation with Vermes was hard, Illig says it was not unexpected. Illig says Vermes knew the standards and expectations established by ownership were not being met.

“Making the decision now affords you the opportunity to make something of the season,” said Illig. “If you want something to change, you have to start with different. This is kind of the first step in that.”

Vermes was under contract through 2028. Sporting has hired two search firms as the club begins a global search to replace Vermes.

“Peter was a unicorn in that he literally had his hand in every single aspect of what we call the ‘Sporting Player Enterprise,’” Illig said. “It’s going to take a while to unravel that. As a unicorn, it’s unrealistic to look for someone to do the all-encompassing job.”

Sporting has no timetable for their search, and interim head coach Kerry Zavagnin will get a real chance to win the job. Whoever replaces Vermes will have big shoes to fill.

“His legacy speaks for itself. He has been such a critical component as a player, as a coach, and as a personality,” said Illig. “He defines the sport in this town, and, for the most part, our league as well.”

Vermes ranks third all-time in wins in MLS history. He had been Sporting’s head coach since 2009.

Copyright 2025 KCTV. All rights reserved.