Best MLS Managers to Watch in 2025: The Top Coaches Leading the League

The MLS has been evolving from year to year, with clubs consistently recruiting managers to find the ideal fit for their identity. Over the years, the league has seen a variety of managers, from experienced to promising managers. Notable managers such as Phil Neville, Owen Coyle and Chris Armas have all made their mark in the MLS, whether in the past or now. Let's take a look at the top managers in the league today, the clubs they lead, and what we can expect from them in the upcoming 2025 MLS season.

Wilfried Nancy - Columbus Crew

Wilfried Nancy, the Columbus Crew manager, is recognized as one of the upcoming top manager talents in the MLS. Wilfried Nancy made his mark at CF Montreal, where he managed them for two seasons between 2021 and 2022, transforming the team into a competitive force. In 2023, he took over at Columbus Crew and quickly turned them into one of the league’s top sides. His approach is best known for their build up from the back, playing in a 3-4-3 system or a 3-5-2 system. His philosophy emphasizes fast transitions and effective passing patterns to open opposing defenses.

Wilfried Nancy also emphasizes an attacking role for his full-backs, encouraging them to push forward and provide width for the midfielders and wingers. The midfield plays a pivotal role for Nancy's system, utilizing his players such as Aidan Morris to control the tempo and build up the attack. His philosophy of ball retention is evident, as Columbus Crew are one of the highest possession percentages in the league. Nancy is also known for prioritizing youth development giving younger players opportunities to grow and contribute to squad depth. His philosophy led the team to win the 2023 MLS Cup, marking his first trophy in MLS. He also won the best coach of the year in MLS, after last year's successful season with the Crew.

Wilfried Nancy after winning the MLS Cup with Columbus Crew in 2023

Gerardo 'Tata' Martino - Inter Miami CF

Martino primarily uses a 4-3-3 formation, sometimes adapting to a 4-3-2-1 to improve the technical ability of the team and make the most of his players, such as Lionel Messi. Martino's system focuses on controlling the midfield, quick transitional play, and exploiting spaces with good passing movements. When out of possession, Martino emphasizes a high pressing strategy, encouraging his team to overload their defense and recover the ball as quickly as possible. Martino is an ideal manager to handle elite players, with the ability to bring out the best from every player. 

Martino's team are highly effective in attack, linking-up well between the attackers in front of goal. High pressing is the foundation of his tactics, as he emphasizes an aggressive press to regain possession and maintain control of the game. In his career, Martino guided Argentina to a Copa America win in 2015, won the MLS Cup in 2018 with Atlanta United and guided Inter Miami to the club's first silverware by winning the Leagues Cup in 2023.

Gerardo Martino after being announced the new Inter Miami CF headcoach

Pat Noonan - FC Cincinnati

Pat Noonan philosophy emphasizes a compact defensive structure utilizing quick counter attacks on transitions. He typically plays with a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 formation to maintain defensive unity, for the team to work as one. They also utilize a high press, to force the opponents to make mistakes in defensive areas. This compact defensive style contributed to have one of the best defensive records in the league, thanks to an organized backline. From free kicks and corners, they are a consistent threat, scoring multiple of goals from set pieces. 

As a coach, Pat Noonan is still relatively young in the world of soccer, but he has already demonstrated that his tactical discipline and strong man-management skills are the driving forces behind Cincinnati's success in recent years. In his career, Noonan won the 2023 Supporters Shield with Cincinnati, leading them to their first ever major trophy in MLS. He also led the team to a semi final in the 2023 MLS Cup, establishing the team as a threat in the league.

Pat Noonan posing with a FC Cincinnati scarf after being appointed their new headcoach

Steve Cherundolo - Los Angeles FC (LAFC)

Cherundolo's team, LAFC, plays with two similar systems, emphasizing teamwork where the team defends and attacks as a single unit. Cherundolo normally uses a 4-3-3 or 4-3-2-1 formation, His playing style prioritizes high-intensity pressing and effective counter-attacks. As a proper coach would do, Cherundolo adapts his team based on his opponent, to ensure that his tactical plan works properly. Offensively, the coach focuses on having quick players that utilize the counter attacking system well. Squad rotation is also part of Cherudolo's philosophy, helping to maintain a happy and fit roster throughout the season.

Cherundolo is having a successful spell at LAFC, guiding the team to a historic double in 2002 by winning the MLS Cup and the Supporters Shield. A year later, he also managed to reach the CONCACAF Champions League final, losing to Leon with a 3-1 aggregate. His approach has kept LAFC competing for trophies, ensuring they remain competitive every year in both domestic and international competitions.

LAFC headcoach Steve Cherundolo

Brian Schmetzer - Seattle Sounders FC

Brian Schmetzer, currently managing Seattle Sounders FC, is known for focusing on results rather than the performances. As a coach, he usually opts for the 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 formation, to maintain a solid shape while being efficient in attack. For his formation to work, he emphasizes to use his full backs to create width, with an extra midfielder joining the attack to stack the box with attacking players when crosses are received inside the box. Schmetzer likes to have veteran players in his squad, as they help maintain composure in tight matches, and lead by example for the younger players.

Schmetzer has been coaching Seattle Sounders since 2016, taking over as an Interim head coach after the departure of Sigi Schmid. After taking over permanently, he managed to win two MLS Cups in 2016 and 2019. He also won the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League, becoming the first MLS team to win it after the new format was introduced. Schmetzer also won the Western Conference multiple of times as well.

Brian Schmetzer posing with the MLS Cup after winning it in 2019

Overall, the managers mentioned above are all fantastic, each with their own philosophy that has led them to silverware. In the current moment, I believe that Wilfried Nancy is a strong contender to be considered as the best manager in the MLS, given his recent success with Columbus Crew and being awarded Manager of the Year in 2024.

Who do you think is the best manager at the moment in MLS?