Since taking over as the club's manager in 2009, Peter Vermes has worked wonders to transform Sporting Kansas City into a prime model for other MLS organizations to follow.
One MLS Cup. Three U.S. Open Cup titles. Eight straight playoff berths. Implementing a distinct and successful style of play while supplementing a veteran core with dynamic young players. Instilling a winning culture through diligence, dedication, hard work and a team-first mentality.
Others have taken notice of Vermes' excellence. Among them is Greg Seltzer of MLSsoccer.com, who has tabbed Vermes as the most transformative head coaching hire in MLS history. Seltzer named his top five transformative coaching hires on Wednesday, writing of Vermes:
"Yes, the Sporting KC boss has often had to do more with less since taking command in the place where his playing career ended back in 2009. Like Nicol, Vermes also started as an interim head coach, but that tag was quickly removed after he oversaw a respectable 3-3-3 end to the second-worst season in club history.
"The then-Kansas City Wizards missed the playoffs for the second year in a row in 2010, but Vermes quickly turned things around things to go with the club's name change the following season as Sporting KC won their first regular season conference crown in seven years.
"They repeated that feat in 2012 while kicking off a run of silverware that few league clubs can match. In all, Vermes and his aggressive 4-3-3 set have taken Sporting to seven straight playoff appearances, the 2013 MLS Cup title and three U.S. Open Cup triumphs."
Click here to read Seltzer's full article on MLSsoccer.com.
