Get to Know New Interim Sporting KC Coach Kerry Zavagnin

A new chapter for Sporting Kansas City was embarked on Monday, as long-time manager Peter Vermes and the club mutually parted ways after 16 years. Longtime assistant Kerry Zavagnin has been appointed interim head coach, marking him as the only the seventh coach to lead the franchise. As most know, Zavagnin’s ties to this club run deep – not just on the sidelines, but on the field as well.

Zavagnin began his professional career with the Raleigh Flyers of the United States Interregional Soccer League (USISL, now known as the USL). In 1997, he was selected 21st overall in the MLS Supplemental Draft by the Colorado Rapids but was traded to the NY/NJ MetroStars in exchange for their captain before making an appearance for the club.

After a loan with the Long Island Rough Riders, he left MLS for the A-league, the second tier of the USISL system. He returned in 2000, when he was selected by the Kansas City Wizards in the MLS SuperDraft. In his nine seasons with the club, he won the trifecta of trophies: Supporters Shield (2000), MLS Cup (2000), and U.S. Open Cup (2004.) He also earned 21 caps with the United States men’s national team.

He joined the Wizard’s coaching staff following his retirement at the end of the 2008 season.

On Peter Vermes

Zagnavin opened Friday’s press conference by thanking Peter Vermes, both as a mentor and a friend.  He later added, “The reflection of what he has meant to the club, what he has meant to me, what he has meant to the game has not been fully unpacked.” Zavagnin reflected on being connected to Peter Vermes before they even met. That MetroStars captain, who also was a hometown kid, traded for Zagvavin, was in fact Peter Vermes. Meeting for the first time carried a bit of “animosity,” as they ended up being roommates that preseason. But they later played out their careers together, creating a vision for how this club should be run.

On His Coaching

Through this short week, Zavagnin emphasized that the players and the organization have gone through so much change this week that he wants to minimize any more changes going into the matchup.

However, when discussing his mindset as a coach, he emphasized flexibility, creativity, and innovation– calling back to the 2021 game versus the Seattle Sounders when Vermes was out in COVID protocol and Zavagnin was in charge. He recalled Illie Sanchez flying back from seeing family, once being subbed in, Zavagnin could sense his fatigue, and made the “instinctive decision” to bring on a player next to him.

After 16 years as an assistant coach, he said he’s ready to explore ideas he’s had hidden within him, and while this team may not change overnight, this team will evolve.

Zavagnin talked highly of Kansas City as a community, meeting his wife here, feeling like a local, and while he openly acknowledged having opportunities with other clubs, he said “it’s difficult to love two clubs equally.”  As of the press conference (4/4,) Zavagnin has been with Kansas City for 84% of the clubs matches.

A note my friend @skovzan has been on top of for a while, but is more applicable this week than ever:

"Kerry Zavagnin has been involved in almost 84% of the club’s matches all-time as either a player or an assistant coach (923 of 1,099 matches)" 🤯 #SportingKC

— Blake Aerni (@BlakeAerni) April 2, 2025