CHICAGO (Sept. 30, 2021) – Chicago Fire FC today announced that the Club has parted ways with head coach Raphael Wicky. Assistant coach Frank Klopas will lead the team on an interim basis while a search for a new head coach takes place. Klopas, who has been involved with the Fire in a variety of roles since 1998, previously served as the Club’s head coach from 2011-2013.
Goalkeeper coach Adin Brown will remain in his current position with the first team. Additionally, the Club will appoint an interim assistant coach to the first team staff for the remainder of the season.
“I’d like to thank Rapha for his tireless efforts to make us a better Club each day,” said Sporting Director Georg Heitz. “We felt this was the right time to notify him that we will not be exercising his 2022 contract option, as we begin to make decisions for next season. Rapha will always be a part of the Fire family, and we wish him all the best for the future.”
Wicky was originally named the ninth full-time head coach in Club history on Dec. 27, 2019. In his two seasons with the Fire, the team recorded an 12-25-14 regular season record, finishing one point shy of a playoff berth in the 2020 campaign.
The Fire will return to league play on Sunday, Oct. 3 against Toronto FC at BMO Field. The match will be broadcast live on WGN-TV, CFFC Live and WOJO 105.1 FM.
