Raphaël Wicky


Raphael Wicky is a Swiss football coach and a former player who is the head coach of Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer. He was a defensive midfielder who could also play in defence and was known for his combative style.

Club career

Born in Leuggern in the canton of Aargau, Wicky started his career with FC Sion, and went on to represent Werder Bremen. n 25 January 2001, he joined Atlético Madrid, then in the Segunda División.
After only 11 games in Spain, he returned to the Bundesliga on 6 December 2001, signing for Hamburger SV until the end of the season with the option to extend until June 2005. He returned to Sion on a three-year contract on 23 August 2007, after losing first-choice status with Hamburg under manager Huub Stevens following a period of injury.
Wicky signed on a free transfer with Los Angeles-based Major League Soccer side Chivas USA in February 2008. Wicky made his debut as a substitute in Chivas' season opener against FC Dallas on 30 March. His season was cut short due to ankle injury, making just five appearances in his first MLS season. He underwent surgery to repair the injury in July 2008 and was placed on the team's season-ending injury list on 15 September.
On 26 January 2009, Chivas USA announced that they had re-signed Wicky to a one-year deal. Five weeks later, on 3 March, he announced his retirement from professional football, citing "personal reasons."

International career

Internationally, Wicky was part of the Swiss national teams at Euro 96 and Euro 2004 as well as at the 2006 World Cup.
In 75 appearances, he scored one goal, to open a 3–1 win away to the Faroe Islands in qualification for the last of those tournaments on 4 June 2005.

International goals

NoDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.4 June 2005Svangaskarð, Toftir, Faroe Islands1–03–12006 FIFA World Cup qualification

Managerial career

Upon retiring, Wicky coached the youth teams of FC Thun in 2009 and a year later Servette.
In 2013, he moved into the youth ranks of FC Basel. He became first-team manager on 21 April 2017, replacing Urs Fischer after a boardroom change. Days later, the team wrapped up an eighth consecutive league title, and on 25 May won the Swiss Cup with a 3–0 victory over FC Sion at the Stade de Genève. On 26 July 2018, having finishing as runner-up in both competitions and started the new season poorly, he was sacked.
On 8 March 2019, Wicky was named the head coach of the United States Under-17 Men's National Team. On 27 December 2019, he was named the head coach of Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire.

Managerial statistics

Honours

Player

Werder Bremen
Hamburger SV
Basel