MLS Legacy Coaches: Is There Still One More Run for These Memorable Managers? | OneFootball

As the 2025 offseason approaches, several MLS clubs could be in the market for new leadership. This raises the question: what’s become of the league’s legacy coaches who might still have one more run left in them?

The firing of Caleb Porter by the New England Revolution in mid-September is the latest reminder that accountability in Major League Soccer is growing heavier. Porter, a two-time MLS Cup winner, oversaw a Revolution squad that struggled mightily under his leadership. According to a report by Caleb Pongratz, mounting concerns from players and insiders about his conduct, decision-making, and treatment of the locker room created a fractured, uneasy environment.

Since Bruce Arena’s resignation after leading the Revolution to significant highs over four-plus seasons, the club has struggled to regain stability. Arena departed amid allegations of “insensitive and inappropriate remarks,” a messy situation that remains unresolved. In response, Porter and the front office overhauled the roster completely, but results never came.

Porter’s departure isn’t the only one across MLS, with five managers already being fired so far this season (not including LAFC’s Steve Cherundolo, who will be leaving at season’s end), and several others on thin ice after disappointing campaigns. With so many openings looming, could some of MLS’s most recognizable out-of-work coaches get one last shot? Here’s a look at the current landscape and potential landing spots for the league’s legacy managers who remain remembered — and perhaps are still capable of delivering one more big moment.

Bob Bradley

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Bob Bradley is perhaps one of the most recognizable American names when it comes to managers. With one MLS Cup and a pair of U.S. Open Cups to his name, Bradley last found success with LAFC, helping launch the club into MLS prominence. However, while he oversaw some successful teams that included a peak-form Carlos Vela and emerging talents like Diego Rossi, Bradley never captured a league title with LAFC. Cherundolo, his replacement, took the club over the hump in his first year in charge.

After departing Los Angeles, Bradley took over a struggling Toronto FC, posting some of the worst results of his MLS career. He was dismissed following poor results and a breakdown in relationships with star players, including Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi, who publicly questioned tactics and management.

Bradley returned to Stabæk in Norway, where he had previously succeeded from 2014-15. Despite a valiant effort, the team was relegated, and he eventually departed after a difficult run in the second division.

Bradley’s coaching style is relentless and structured, blending strict discipline with tactical precision. His teams are organized around possession and sharp counterattacks, with every detail planned meticulously in training. While this approach has delivered trophies and memorable campaigns, it can strain locker room dynamics when intensity becomes too much.

Although he’s faced a down period over the past few years, there is still plenty of room left for a Bradley-aissance. A move to New England, St. Louis City SC, or CF Montréal could still be viable for one of the U.S.’s most accomplished soccer minds.

Jim Curtin

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Jim Curtin is highly sought after — and for good reason. He achieved remarkable success with the Philadelphia Union, his only MLS post, including a Supporters’ Shield, an MLS Cup runner-up finish, and three U.S. Open Cups final appearances. He has also nurtured young players, helping several move on to Europe.

Curtin’s coaching is defined by adaptability, man-management, and fostering team culture. He emphasizes balance, blending defensive solidity with quick, vertical attacks, while tailoring tactics to fit his roster rather than imposing a rigid system. His mix of tactical pragmatism and emotional intelligence has made him one of MLS’s most respected and effective managers.

Well-positioned for nearly any MLS role, a club like Atlanta United — which has spent heavily but struggled to translate resources into success — could be an ideal fit for a coach proven to deliver with a budget. Curtin is strongly linked to the New England job but may wait a little longer with the season nearing its end.

Juan Carlos Osorio

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Colombian manager Juan Carlos Osorio has led a peripatetic career since his days with the New York Red Bulls. After leaving MLS in 2009, Osorio has had stints at Atlético Nacional, São Paulo, the México and Paraguay national teams, and others, producing mixed results.

Osorio guided the Red Bulls to the 2008 Western Conference title — yes a New York team won the West in MLS once upon a time — and won six championships with Atlético Nacional. Known for his meticulous, experimental approach, he frequently rotates players and adjusts tactics game to game, believing unpredictability gives teams an edge.

MLS has evolved since Osorio’s early tenure, and a club like Sporting Kansas City, focused on team culture over individual stars, could suit his system well.

Peter Vermes

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Speaking of Kansas City, Peter Vermes spent 16 years at Sporting KC, winning three U.S. Open Cups and an MLS Cup, but in recent seasons the league’s growth and spending power have outpaced the club, resulting in inconsistency.

Vermes is recognized for his structure and intensity. He favors a high-pressing style demanding fitness, discipline, and quick ball movement, emphasizing collective effort over individual flair.

He could be an ideal fit for New England, where financial resources and a willingness to invest could pair well with his experience in building competitive teams on a budget.

Giovanni Savarese

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It’s surprising that Giovanni Savarese remains without an MLS role since leaving the Portland Timbers in 2023. Savarese is known for flexibility, motivation, and strong player relationships. He adjusts tactics by opponent, blending organized defense with quick counterattacks and direct play. He fosters trust and resilience, allowing teams to over perform in high-stakes matches.

With Portland, he won the MLS is Back Tournament in 2020, and his New York Cosmos sides captured six NASL titles in the 2010s. Given his track record, Savarese should be high on the list for clubs like Atlanta United, St. Louis City, Sporting Kansas City, or potential openings at FC Dallas or Real Salt Lake.

Tata Martino

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Could Tata Martino return to MLS? The former Inter Miami coach left the club for “personal reasons,” amid speculation about a strained relationship with Lionel Messi, though Martino clarified he personally explained his departure to Messi.

Nearly a year later, Martino could still have a future in MLS. His tenure at Atlanta United is still highly regarded, and he won both the Supporters’ Shield and Leagues Cup with Inter Miami. Martino is typically a short-term coach, but a club needing instant impact, such as Atlanta United, could be a fitting destination and a great homecoming for the man who helped put the club on the map.

Mike Petke

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Mike Petke’s MLS trajectory showed early promise, highlighted by a 2013 Supporters’ Shield with the New York Red Bulls and a successful stint at Real Salt Lake. However, his coaching career halted in 2019 after being fired from RSL following a suspension for using abusive language toward referees.

Since then, Petke has worked with youth academies and local programs but hasn’t returned to top-level MLS management. Known for intensity, simplicity, and a no-nonsense work ethic, Petke emphasizes organized, defensively disciplined teams that press hard and transition quickly.

If given a second chance, Petke could be a strong fit for any struggling club looking for a new start.