Sporting KC parts ways with longtime manager Peter Vermes

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Sporting KC will have a new manager next time it takes the pitch on Saturday.

The club announced Monday morning that it had parted ways with Peter Vermes after 15 seasons at the helm.

Former Kansas City Wizard midfielder and current assistant coach Kerry Zavagnin has been appointed as Sporting’s interim head coach, effective immediately, the club stated in a release.

“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.”

After missing the playoffs two of the last three seasons, Sporting KC stumbled out of the gate in 2025, winless in its first six games and managing just one tie.

Vermes led Sporting KC to an MLS Cup title in 2013 and U.S. Open Cup championships in 2012, 2015 and 2017. He finishes his tenure at Sporting KC the all-time winningest manager in club history and third in the history of the MLS.

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