Tottenham: Thomas Frank assistant Matt Wells leaves to become Colorado Rapids head coach | OneFootball

Young coach leaves boyhood club for first managerial role

Tottenham assistant manager Matt Wells has been appointed head coach at Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids.

The move is a blow for Spurs manager Thomas Frank, who loses a key member of his backroom team amid mounting pressure on his job.

Wells spent time with Spurs’ Under-18s and development squads earlier in his coaching career, before following Scott Parker to Club Brugge, Fulham and Bournemouth.

He returned in 2023 as acting assistant head coach and soon after was made a permanent member of Ange Postecoglou’s backroom team.

The 37-year-old stayed to help Frank this past summer, but now leaves to explore his first managerial role.

“I'm very happy for Matt, “ Frank told reporters on Tuesday. “It's a great opportunity for him. I think he's a very talented coach and I think he's got a good potential to become a good head coach.

“It's different when you stand out there on your own. But I think he's got all the abilities to be able to do well. So, yes, I wish him all the best and I really want him to do well.

“We will definitely be looking to replace him. When and how that will look is not clear yet.”

Wells is considered a crucial part of Spurs’ setup and is credited with playing a role in keeping Djed Spence at the club after a difficult start to his Tottenham career.

His departure comes amid increasing pressure on Frank, while co-sporting director Fabio Paratici has also been heavily linked with leaving the club just months after returning.

Colorado narrowly missed out on the playoffs this year, finishing 11th in the 15-team Western Conference.

This will be the first senior head coach role Wells, who was in Spurs’ academy as a player, has held in his career.