Analyzing the Colorado Rapids Coaching Candidates and Search for 2024

EDITORIAL – With the 2023 MLS season wrapped up for the Colorado Rapids, major changes are on the way for 2024. The most pressing need is the search for a new head coach. Burgundy Wave has heard that the front office is looking to finalize the signing of a new head coach in the coming weeks, so let’s take a look at the main contenders for the job.

KSE/Arsenal Influence?

Jack Wilshere is undoubtedly the standout name in the list of candidates. Wilshere was once considered to be the next generational talent in Arsenal’s midfield, but an unwavering barrage of injuries derailed his career, and the former England international was forced into retirement at the age of 30. Immediately following that, he was appointed as head coach of the Arsenal u18s. Since then, he led his team to the final of the FA Youth Cup, a feat that hadn’t been achieved at Arsenal since the 2017-18 season.

Wilshere reportedly impressed in his initial interview, and he appears to be the top choice for some fans. His name and background certainly make him a glamorous option to take over as head coach of the Rapids, but will he be able to overcome his lack of experience? The Rapids gig isn’t exactly a desirable one, with no promise of financial backing from the ownership, and a roster that is arguably the weakest in MLS. 

An MLS Cup Champion

Former Mexican international Efraín Juárez is another recent name to emerge in recent weeks, as first reported by TUDN. Juárez was signed by FC Barcelona in 2006 after his stellar performances helped Mexico win the 2005 U-17 World Cup. He wasn’t able to rise up the ranks to the first team, so he moved back to Liga MX to play for Pumas. After featuring as a key player for Pumas and winning the Clausura 2009 tournament, he opted to give European soccer another shot, moving to Scottish giants Celtic in 2010, becoming the first Mexican player to play in the Scottish Premier League.

Inconsistent playing time saw him loaned to La Liga side Real Zaragoza, before moving back to Mexico to play for Club America, and later, Monterrey. After six years in Liga MX, he moved to MLS to play for the Vancouver Whitecaps and appeared in 16 matches in 2018. Juárez’ final move was to the Norwegian top flight, where he would play one season for Valerenga before retiring in 2019.

Much like Wilshere, Juárez was also an early retiree as a player, calling it quits at the age of 30. Since then, he has gained experience as an assistant coach, serving under Norwegian manager Ronny Deila at New York City FC for two years, winning the MLS Cup in 2021. He later followed Deila to Belgian giants Standard Liège and Club Brugge. His experiences as both a player and coach in MLS certainly give him an edge over Wilshere in that department, but he too is untested as a head coach. 

Staying the Course

Chris Little forced his way into consideration through the Rapids performances since his appointment as interim head coach following the firing of Robin Fraser. Under Little, the Rapids won two, drew two, and lost four, with the only noncompetitive game coming in a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of the Houston Dynamo.

He would undoubtedly be the safest option of those rumored, as he is well-acquainted with the club and is popular among the players. Cole Bassett even went as far as saying that he hopes Little will remain with the club in any capacity. Little did bring offensive improvement when given the chance to manage the squad, but promoting the interim head coach from the previous regime would do little(no pun intended)to renew the fans’ hopes for the future.

Late to the Party

On Thursday afternoon, Chris Armas was added to the candidate list. Armas was an MLS original with the LA Galaxy. He spent most of his playing career with Chicago Fire, playing with them from 1998-2007. He was an international with Puerto Rico and the United States.

Armas immediately jumped into assistant coaching after retiring, making stops at Chicago Fire and Adelphi University, before going to New York Red Bulls in 2015. He rose to head coach at RBNY after Jesse Marsch left for RB Salzburg in 2018. That RBNY team was in place by the time he moved up from assistant that July. They went on to win the Supporters’ Shield and set a points record with 71.

In the first leg of the MLS Cup Eastern Conference Final, Armas played conservative rather than New York’s pressing style. Atlanta United won that first leg 3-0 and advanced to MLS Cup 3-1 on aggregate. RBNY supporters will never forgive Armas for that tactical decision. The team regressed over the next two years under him and he was fired in September 2020.

Armas spent half a year as the head coach at Toronto FC, but was unsuccessful as the roster build and style of play did not match. He’s since been an assistant under Ralf Rangnick at Manchester United and Marsch at Leed United. All three of these opportunities came through a Red Bull football group connection.

Armas hasn’t been a head coach in two and a half years. Does he still prefer to the RBNY pressing style or have his ideas about the game evolved? How much has he learned from being an assistant? Where does he stand on playing the kids? Is he ready for another head coaching gig given how things ended in New York and Toronto? Has he just been riding Marsch’s coat tails and relationships since 2015?

Later to the Party

On Friday morning, Jeff Carlisle of ESPN reported that Pa-Modou Kah is also a finalist. Kah is originally from The Gambia, representing Norway internationally. He played professionally in Scandinavia, the Netherlands, and the Middle East before joining Portland Timbers in 2013. The center back spent the last four years of his playing career in MLS, retiring in 2016 with Vancouver Whitecaps.

Kah went immediately into coaching. He spent multiple years on staff with Vancouver then FC Cincinnati. His first head coaching experience came in 2020, when he joined Pacific FC of the Canadian Premier League. He led to them to the North Star Cup (the CPL’s equivalent to MLS Cup) in 2021.

He then moved to North Texas FC as head coach in the first year of MLS NEXT Pro. They finished fourth and lost in the first round of the playoffs. This past season, he was an assistant with Charlotte FC.

Like other candidates discussed in this article, he’s lacking in first teach head coaching experience. He’s got a diverse background as a player and assistant. He’s had success his last three stops. It’s good to see a coach of color who was developed in MLS possibly get an opportunity.

 Crucial Decisions for 2024

If the Rapids were to appoint Wilshere, it would signal a change in identity, with the former Arsenal man almost certain to bring an attacking approach to Colorado. However, Wilshere’s name alone would bring big expectations for the Rapids next season, even after Diego Rubio and Jack Price announced they would not be returning to the club next season.

Chris Armas could also signal a change in philosophy, bringing in a pressing style but still focusing on youth. He has as diverse a background in coaching as Juárez but has not had a good stop recently. Perhaps he’s a retread ready for a glow up, like Ben Olsen joining Houston Dynamo.

If they instead opt to promote Chris Little, the message would be that the current structure at the club can still work.

Efraín Juárez is the unknown of the bunch, and his vision for the future would remain to be seen, although such uncertainty could prove to be deadly for an unpopular front office.

Whichever candidate Pádraig Smith chooses, he must be a success, as the fans have endured years of mediocrity, and most recently, disaster. 

Photo Credit: John Babiak.

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