Colorado Rapids have officially announced the start of a new era, appointing Matt Wells, assistant coach of Tottenham Hotspur, as the team’s new head coach. This move is a strong statement of intent from the club, as Wells, with his seven years of experience four in youth coaching and three as an assistant coach takes on his first head coaching role, tasked with transforming the club into a consistent title contender.
The Positives: The Rapids Open Their Doors to a Young Coach with Seven Years of Experience
Experience with Renowned Coaches in Europe: Matt Wells arrives in MLS with a resume that includes only seven years of experience, four of which were in youth coaching and three with senior teams. He has brief experience in the Premier League, Champions League, and Europa League under top coaches such as Mauricio Pochettino and Ange Postecoglou.
A Different Mindset: His record includes assisting the head coach in winning the 2024-2025 Europa League title and achieving promotion twice to the English Championship with Fulham and Bournemouth.
A Philosophy Shaped by Positive Influences: Matt Wells, an assistant coach, has been highly praised for his ability to coach the Rapids; he is said to possess a distinctive tactical vision. He plans to make the Rapids a “dominant team” with an attacking, possession-based style of play, which differs from the previous coach’s approach, which often relied on less possession.
Cons: First experience as a head coach in a challenging league
Lack of managerial experience: only three years as an assistant coach in the English Premier League: The main risk lies in Matt Wells’ lack of experience as a head coach, especially since the Rapids risk losing their fans and supporters. Victories are crucial for bringing the fans back. Despite working alongside elite English coaches, the transition from assistant coach to head coach in a new league presents a significant challenge in achieving the goals set by the Rapids’ president and technical staff.
Immediate Pressure: After the Rapids failed to qualify for the 2025 playoffs, expectations are high for an immediate turnaround. Wells inherits a talented but somewhat inconsistent young team that suffered from instability last season. The young team needs time to secure better results, but other teams are building their squads, making it very difficult to achieve long-term goals.
Tactical Shift: “Implementing a new style may be difficult for other clubs to understand. We’re not talking about possession or long balls, but rather plans that help the team with productive attacking and organized defense,” says Simo Idrissi. If the current team cannot adapt quickly, they may face difficulties initially in the competitive Western Conference.
Analysis
This is a bold move by the Rapids’ owners (KSE), the Rapids’ president, and the technical staff, as they prioritized a specific tactical identity and a long-term vision over a coach with no MLS experience and very limited experience in Europe. But we will be supportive of this coach and our Colorado Rapids team, and we encourage giving opportunities to everyone, including coaches from within Colorado. The success of this appointment hinges on Matt Wells’ ability to adapt his standards, philosophy, and European experience to the MLS environment, and on the club’s ability to provide the necessary resources and patience to allow his philosophy to take root. If it works, the Rapids could become a real force; if it fails, the pressure on the club’s management will intensify once again.