With roughly 3 months until the 2026 MLS season kicks off, it’s extremely important to mention the fact that – teams are currently without a head coach.

As many teams enter the offseason, it becomes time where owners, presidents, & sporting directors come together with the goal to improve their rosters as well as their coaching staffs.

At this given moment, there are SIX MLS teams without a permanent head coach. Colorado Rapids, Los Angeles FC, New England Revolution, New York Red Bulls, Sporting Kansas City, & St. Louis City SC.

Here at Spotrac, we’re breaking down the Top 10 available coaches with MLS experience:

A quick caveat: Coaches such as Marc Dos Santos (Los Angeles FC), Marko Mitrović (New England) & Tata Martino (Atlanta United), who are front-runners or have reported agreements to become an MLS team’s next head coach will be omitted from this list. 

#1: Jim Curtin

  • Previous Team: Philadelphia Union
  • Age: 46
  • Record: 174W - 93D -138L
  • MLS Managerial Honors: (1) Supporters Shield (2020), 2x MLS Coach of the Year (2020, 2022)

There isn’t a single coach that is more sought after in Major League Soccer than former Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin. The 46-year-old two-time MLS Coach of the Year was head coach of the Philadelphia Union from 2014-2024 & helped guide the club to their first-ever trophy (2020 Supporters’ Shield). The Philadelphia native is navigating the market but it’s obvious that he’ll only join a team if it’s the right opportunity. It’s important to note that though Curtin hasn’t coached since November of 2024, he is on a guaranteed contract through the 2026 season.

So far, D.C. United & New England Revolution have made official contact with the coach. Ultimately, nothing came to fruition with D.C. United & Curtin stepped away from the New England Revolution job on September 30th due to family reasons.

According to The Athletic’s Tom Bogert, Curtin will likely not take any job in 2026 due to those family reasons, barring special circumstances.


©Adrian Heinsohn-Roe
Photo courtesy of Adrian Heinsohn-Roe

#2: Peter Vermes

  • Previous Team: Sporting Kansas City
  • Age: 58
  • Record: 251W - 127D - 213L
  • MLS Managerial Honors: (1) MLS Cup (2013), (3) U.S. Open Cup (2012, 2015, 2017)

After spending nearly 16 seasons with Sporting Kansas City (Technical Director since 2006, head coach since 2009), Peter Vermes is on the market. 

In his coaching career, the 58-year-old has an MLS Cup Championship (2013) on his resume along with three US Open Cup titles (2012, 2015, 2017). He is currently 3rd all-time in terms of regular season victories & would completely turn around any team that gives him the keys to their project. 

In terms of interview processes, it has been reported that Vermes had interviewed for the New England Revolution job & is currently on the lookout for a new gig in MLS.

 

#3: Giovanni Savarese

  • Previous Team: Portland Timbers
  • Age: 54
  • Record: 93W - 50D - 73L
  • MLS Managerial Honors: (1) MLS is Back Tournament (2020)

If there is a manager that showcases winning tendencies in Major League Soccer, there aren’t many better choices than Giovanni Savarese. The 54-year-old head coach hasn’t coached since 2023 where he worked with the Portland Timbers until his dismissal in August of 2023.

It was shocking to see Savarese enter the 2025 season without a job as he was a finalist for multiple MLS clubs throughout the offseason.

Speaking to pundits across the league, many are still shocked that Savarese went the entire 2025 season without securing an MLS job & currently does not have an MLS head coaching job. The former coach is currently contributing to MLS Apple TV as an analyst for MLS Espanol.

There is no doubt in my mind, Savarese should be coaching in Major League Soccer.

In terms of interview processes, Savarese has had interviews with the New England Revolution, however, nothing came out of the visit.

 

#4: Vanni Sartini

  • Previous Team: Vancouver WhiteCaps FC
  • Age: 48
  • Record: 61W - 33D - 53L
  • MLS Managerial Honors: (3) Canadian Championships (2022, 2023, 2024)

Vanni Sartini is an interesting subject in terms of Major League Soccer job openings. 

The 48-year-old coach has been out of coaching since his dismissal from the Vancouver WhiteCaps in 2024. When citing a reason behind his previous dismissal, sources indicated that the club felt the team’s performance, while respectable, was not progressing. 

During his tenure with Vancouver, Sartini won 3-straight Canadian Championships & had 3-straight MLS Cup Playoff berths. 

The Italian coach has expressed a preference to stay in Major League Soccer & is looking to continue coaching.

In terms of interview processes, it has been reported that Sartini was a finalist for the New England Revolution job.

 

#5: Gary Smith

  • Previous Team: Nashville SC
  • Age: 56
  • Record: 105W - 87D - 78L
  • MLS Managerial Honors: (1) MLS Cup (2010)

The 56-year-old manager has had a lot of experience across the United States. He spent 2008-2011 with the Colorado Rapids & won an MLS Cup (2010). He took charge of Nashville SC back in 2017 when they were a part of the USL and continued to lead the group through their transition into MLS which was in 2019. From 20192-24, Smith led Nashville to two MLS Eastern Conference Semifinals & to the Quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

It’s been 550+ days since Gary Smith last coached in Major League Soccer, however, there’s no reason for the coach to be omitted from this list. 

His experience and 100+ MLS win resume makes him a top candidate for any MLS team looking to make a positive change at head coach.

In terms of interview processes, Smith has not had any interviews with clubs that have job openings according to sources.

 

#6: Josh Wolff

  • Previous Team: Austin FC
  • Age: 48
  • Record: 45W - 30D - 60L
  • MLS Managerial Honors: (0)

Josh Wolff is a coach that surprisingly has a lot of experience in the United States. The 48-year-old coach had experience as an Assistant Coach for D.C. United (2012) & Columbus Crew (2013-18). In 2018, he joined Gregg Berhalter’s staff with the United States Men’s National Team.

In 2019, Wolff was named the inaugural head coach of Austin FC, where he spent 2021-2024 with the club. His best season was a 2nd place regular season finish where he led Austin to the 2022 Western Conference Finals.

After two disastrous seasons (12th in 2023 & 10th in 2024) with Austin FC, Wolff was relieved of his duties on October 6, 2024. He didn’t remain jobless for long as on February 2, 2025, Wolff was hired as an Assistant Coach for Houston Dynamo FC.

In terms of interview processes, it has been reported that Wolff was a finalist for the New England Revolution job.

 

#7: John Herdman

  • Previous Team: Toronto FC
  • Age: 50
  • Record: 17W - 4D- 25L
  • MLS Managerial Honors: (0)

A transformative figure in terms of Canadian Soccer, John Herdman is a compelling coach that is currently without a job.

The 50-year-old head coach spent 2011-18 with the Canadian Women’s National Team & 2018-23 with the Canadian Men’s National Team. In October of 2023, Herdman left the national team to coach Toronto FC in MLS. 

During his tenure with Toronto FC, Herdman led Toronto to the League’s Cup group stage & a Canadian Championship Final.  Herdman resigned from Toronto FC on November 28, 2024.

Herdman would be an ideal candidate for MLS, however, he doesn’t come without potential controversy. In 2024, following the Canada National Teams being penalized at the 2024 Summer Olympics for the use of drones, a panel concluded that Herdman had engaged in unspecified "misconduct" under its disciplinary code and was issued a letter of admonishment, the least severe possible sanction. In the end, Herdman acknowledged the outcome but defended his conduct.

In terms of interview processes, Herdman has not had any interviews with clubs that have job openings according to sources.

 

#8: Laurent Courtois

  • Previous Team: CF Montréal
  • Age: 47
  • Record: 12W - 12D - 21L
  • MLS Managerial Honors: 1x MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Year

Laurent Courtois is an intriguing option for MLS teams to consider during the 2025 offseason. Courtois has a good deal of experience across the United States both as a player and as a manager. Following 3 seasons in Columbus Crew’s Academy (2019-22), Courtois was named the inaugural head coach of Columbus Crew 2 ahead of its first season in MLS NEXT Pro. In his first season, Courtois led Crew 2 to the club’s first ever championship & was named MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the year.

In January of 2024, Courtois was named head coach of CF Montréal and led the team to the MLS Eastern Conference Playoffs in his first season. Unfortunately, after a five game winless start to the 2025 season, CF Montréal pulled the trigger and relieved Courtois of his duties. He was the first coach fired during the 2025 season.

Overall, I like the idea of Laurent Courtois in Major League Soccer. With the right team and backing from ownership, Courtois could be an exciting figure in the MLS sphere if a team will allow him the keys to the car and allow him to make the necessary changes.

In terms of interview processes, Courtois has been asked details in regard to potential coaching avenues by multiple teams. He’s had one official interview process at this time. He is linked to St. Louis City SC (per sources)

 

#9: Troy Lesesne

  • Previous Team: D.C. United
  • Age: 42
  • Record: 33W - 21D - 38L
  • MLS Managerial Honors: (0)

The young 42-year-old coach has quite the resume in regards to coaching experience in the United States. 

Lesesne has ten years experience as a collegiate Assistant Coach for the College of Charleston, his alma mater. The young coach was named a top-20 assistant coach in the nation in 2011 & 2013 and was named in UnitedSoccerCoaches “Top 30 Under 30” coaches program back in 2013. 

As an Assistant in the professional sphere began with Charleston Battery (2014) and then with Charlotte Independence (2015-17). 

In 2018, he was named Technical Director & Head coach of USL Championship expansion side New Mexico United (2018-21). In three seasons with New Mexico United, Lesesne made two playoff appearances & made it to the Quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Following the end of the 2021 season, Lesesne was offered a contract extension which he ultimately declined offer & then resigned.

Less than two months later, He received his first job in MLS as an Assistant Coach for New York Red Bulls. In May of 2023, he was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season. He was not extended after the 2023 season. Later, in January of 2024, Lesesne was hired as head coach for D.C. United on a three-year contract. On July 9th, 2025, Troy was removed from D.C. United. Rumors have circulated that the club was conducting interviews while Lesesne was still employed.

Lesesne is a young and exciting prospect in the coaching sphere and could be an interesting choice for any team that is willing to experiment. I’d argue that Lesesne was not the problem at D.C. United & was forced to play a difficult hand & bite the bullet. I’d say that with the right team, he could be an exciting project.

In terms of interview processes, Lesesne has not had any interviews with clubs that have job openings according to sources.

 


Photo courtesy of Adrian Heinsohn-Roe

#10: Caleb Porter

  • Previous Team: New England Revolution
  • Age: 50
  • Record: 160W - 107D - 146L
  • MLS Managerial Honors: (2) MLS Cups (2015, 2020), (1) Campeones Cup (2021), 1x MLS Coach of the Year (2013)

Caleb Porter is a coach that has over 27-years of experience in Major League Soccer as both a player & a coach. 

The 50-year-old has coached for Portland Timbers (2013-17), Columbus Crew (2019-22) & New England Revolution (2023-25). In his career, he is a 1x MLS Coach of the Year & 2x MLS Cup Champion. He has proven that he can win on the big stage, but, at the same time, he has missed the playoffs in 7 out of his 11 seasons as a head coach in Major League Soccer.

His most recent tenure with the New England Revolution was extremely disappointing as he missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons (14th in 2024, 11th in 2025). He was dismissed as head coach on September 15th, 2025 with four matches to go in the 2025 MLS Season..

Following his dismissal, I spoke with a handful of his former players on the condition of anonymity. They were extremely outspoken on Porter’s overall ethical being, decision making, and on/off field conduct. 

It’ll be intriguing to see if any teams take the risk of Caleb Porter after his abysmal tenure in New England.

In terms of interview processes, Porter has not had any interviews with clubs that have job openings according to sources.